UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 

GIF^T    OF" 

Mrs.  SARAH  P.  WALS WORTH. 

Received  October,  1894. 
Accessions  No .  5^7.7^ & .      Class  No. 


V 


THE 


CRAFTSMAN, 


FREEMASON'S  GUIDE; 

CONTAINING   A   DELINEATION  OF  THE 

RITUALS  OF  FREEMASONRY, 

•    »     •  «*"*! 

WITH   THE    EMBLEMS   AND    EXPLA$ATIONS    SO    ARRANGED   AS    GREATLY   TO 

FACILITATE    IN   ACQUIRING   A  KNOWLEDGE    OF    THE    RITES   AND 

CEREMONIES   OF   THE    SEVERAL  DEGREES,   FROM 

ENTERED  APPRENTICE  TO  THAT  OF  SELECT  MASTER, 


ORDER    OF   PRIESTHOOD. 


COMPILED    AND   ARRANGED    FROM    WEBB,  AND    OTHER   STANDARD    AUTHORS  : 

BY     CORNELIUS    MOORE, 

Past  Master  of  Lafayette  Lodge,  No.  79,  and  Editor  of  the 
Masonic  Review.  Cincinnati. 


EIGHTH     EDITION. 

C  INC  INN  ATI: 

JACOB    ERNST,    112    MAIN   STREET, 
1854. 


*** 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1846, 

BY    JACOB    ERNST, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  for  the  District  Court  of  Ohio. 


CIRCLEVILLE,  March  12th,  184G. 
Having  examined  the  manuscript  pages  of  a  work 
prepared  by  Bro.  CORNELIUS  MOORE,  entitled,  "  THE 
CRAFTSMAN,  AND  FREEMASON'S  GUIDE,"  I  have  no 
hesitation  in  commending  it  to  the  favorable  considera 
tion  of  the  fraternity  in  Ohio,  and  elsewhere,  as  a 
•useful,  convenient,  and  compendious  Text-Book,  for  the 
use  of  Lodges  and  private  brethren.  It  is  a  judicious 
compilation  from  standard  masonic  authors;  and  in  point 
of  the  arrangement  of  its  matter,  is  preferable  in  my 
estimation,  to  any  work  of  the  kind  which  has  fallen 
under  my  observation.  Especially  in  the  hands  of  those 
upon  whom  devolve  the  active  duties  of  the  LcJge  and 
Chapter,  it  will  be  found  a  ready  and  acceptable  Manual 
of  masonry.  By  the  exclusion  from  its  pages  of  much 
that  is  interesting  chiefly  to  those  of  far-reaching  curi 
osity — while  all  is  retained  that  is  necessary  for  the 
exemplification  of  our  principles,  or  to  aid  in  the  practice 
of  our  rites — the  work  is  brought  within  a  convenient 
compass,  and  is  afforded  at  so  low  a  price  as  to  place 
it  within  the  reach  of  every  brother. 

W.  B.  THRALL, 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio. 

We  entirely  concur  in  the  above. 

SAMUEL  REED, 

Grand  Lecturer. 
ROBERT  PUNSHON, 
G.  Chaplain  of  the  G.  G.  R.  A.  Chapter  of  the  U.  S. 


To  the  Officers  and  Members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  the 
Most  Ancient  and  Honorable  Fraternity  of  Free  and 
Accepted  Masons  of  the  State  of  Ohio : 

BRETHREN — The  high  regard  1  entertain  for  you, 
individually  and  collectively,  as  Men  and  as  Masons, 
and  the  valuable  assistance  rendered  me  in  the  pre 
paration  of  the  following  Work  by  the  M.  W.  Grand 
Master,  and  Grand  Lecturer,  have  induced  me,  as  a 
testimonial  of  my  respect  and  gratitude,  to  dedicate  to 
you  this  volume.  Hoping  that  it  may  be  found  worthy 
of  your  approbation,  and  prove  a  benefit  to  our  Ancient 
Fraternity  every  where, 

I  am,  respectfully, 

And  Fraternally, 

Yours, 

C.  MOORE. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  FIRST  EDITION. 


WE  have  no  apology  to  make  in  presenting  the 
following  compilation  to  the  Masonic  Fraternity.  All 
agree  that  some  work  of  the  kind  is  needed  at  the 
present  time.  The  great  and  constantly  increasing 
accessions  to  our  Order  in  the  West,  and  the  renewed 
attentions  to  our  peculiar  rites  and  ceremonies,  have 
created  a  demand  for  a  practical  book.  Webb's 
Monitor,  which  by  many  was  considered  the  best  of  its 
kind,  has  long  been  out  of  print,  and  its  truly  excellent 
author  sleeps  in  peace  with  his  Fathers. 

One  thing  to  be  especially  guarded  against  at  the 
present  time,  is  a  variance  in  the  practice  of  our  rites, 
and  the  work  of  our  Lodges  and  Chapters.  Next  to 
guarding  the  principles  which  impart  vitality  to  our 
institution,  and  preserving  unchanged  the  ancient  land 
marks  of  our  Order,  it  is  important  to  attain  and  pre 
serve  uniformity  in  the  mode  of  discharging  the  duties 
of  the  Lodge-room.  It  was  deemed  by  many  that  a 
book  in  which  our  emblems  should  be  placed  in  juxta 
position  with  their  explanations,  and  so  arranged  in  the 
work  itself  as  to  serve  as  a  guide  to  the  memory,  would 
aid  in  obtaining  and  perpetuating  those  desirable  results. 
Still  no  one  appeared  to  undertake  the  task ;  and  the 
Compiler  of  this  book,  distrusting  his  own  qualifications, 
would  have  long  hesitated,  had  not  an  esteemed  friend, 
Brother  SAMUEL  REED,  the  excellent  and  indefatigable 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

Grand  Lecturer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  and  Grand  Chapter 
of  Ohio,  expressed  his  willingness  to  aid  in  the  under 
taking.  With  this  encouragement  the  Compiler  com 
menced  his  labor,  and  devoted  several  months  of  close 
application  to  it,  resorting  for  aid  to  the  work  of  every 
approved  masonic  author,  from  Preston  down,  to  which 
he  could  gain  access. 

After  going  through  and  arranging  the  whole  to  the 
close  of  the  Royal  Arch  degree,  he  submitted  the  result 
of  his  labors  to  the  examination  of  Bro.  REED,  who 
made  such  alterations  and  corrections,  as  he  deemed 
proper,  in  order  that  it  might  conform  strictly  to  the 
mode  of  work  in  the  several  degrees  as  taught  by  him, 
and  approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  Grand  Chapter, 
and  Grand  Council  of  Ohio. 

The  manuscript  was  subsequently  placed  in  the  hands 
of  WILLIAM  B.  THRALL,  Esq.,  the  Grand  Master  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  — ''a  workman  that  needeth  not 
to  be  ashamed," — and  also  submitted  to  our  venerable 
Companion,  Rev.  ROBERT  PUNSHON,  of  this  city,  both 
of  whom  were  pleased  to  give  it  the  sanction  of  their 
approbation.  It  is  proper  here  to  say,  that  the  part 
which  treats  of  the  Order  of  Priesthood,  was  arranged 
exclusively  by  Brother  REED,  as  the  Compiler  has  not 
had  the  honor  of  that  Order. 

The  Compiler  does  not  suppose  that  the  work  is 
perfect ;  but  he  believes  it  will  render  efficient  aid  in 
acquiring  a  correct  knowledge  of  our  rites,  and  in  dis 
charging  the  duties  of  our  Lodge  and  Chapter  rooms. 


PREFACE.  IX 


He  knows  that  it  is  an  easy  matter  for  the  critical  and 
conceited  to  find  fault — far  easier  than  to  produce  a 
work  of  this  kind  without  faults.  Such  as  it  is,  however, 
he  submits  to  his  Masonic  Brethren.  COMPILER. 


NOTE  TO  THE  STEREOTYPE  EDITION. 

THE  demand  for  this  work  having  been  such  as  to 
require  several  large  editions  in  a  few  years,  the  pub 
lisher  has  been  induced  to  stereotype  it ;  and  in  order 
that  it  may  be  as  perfect  as  possible,  the  undersigned 
has  called  to  his  aid  Brother  SAMUEL  REED,  Past  Grand 
Lecturer  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio,  at  whose  instance 
some  useful  improvements  have  been  made.  The  whole 
work  has  been  re-examined,  and  a  few  errors  that  have 
heretofore  escaped  the  Compiler's  notice,  have  been 
corrected.  The  arrangement  remains  precisely  the  same 
as  in  former  editions.  Some  additional  illustrations 
have  been  added,  and  others  have  been  re-engraved 
and  much  improved.  It  is  hoped  that  in  its  present 
matured  condition  it  will  fully  meet  the  wants  of  those 
for  whom  it  was  originally  compiled  and  arranged. 

As  it  has  already  received  the  approval  of  several 
Grand  Lodges,  and  many  distinguished  Masons  in 
different  States,  the  undersigned  trusts  it  may  continue 
to  deserve  the  patronage  of  the  workmen  in  every 
apartment  of  our  mystic  building. 

C.  MOORE. 
CINCINNATI,  OHIO,  October,  1850. 


INDEX. 


PART    FIRST. 
CHAPTER  I. 

General  Remarks Page  17 

CHAPTER  II. 

Ceremonies  of  opening  and  closing  a  Lodge 18 

Charge  at  opening  a  Lodge 21 

A  Prayer  at  closing  a  Lodge 22 

Charge  at  closing  a  Lodge 22 

CHAPTER  III. 

Instructions  to  a  person  wishing  to  become  a  Mason 23 

Form  of  Application 23 

CHAPTER  IV. 

ENTERED  APPRENTICE'S  DEGREE 25 

A  Prayer  at  the  initiation  of  a  Candidate 26 

Working  Tools 28 

Of  Brotherly  Love 35 

Of  Relief 35 

Of  Truth 36 

Of  Temperance 36 

Of  Fortitude 37 

Of  Prudence 38 

Of  Justice 38 

Charge  at  the  initiation  into  the  First  Degree 39 

CHAPTER  V. 

FELLOW  CRAFT'S  DEGREE 42 

Working  Tools  of  a  Fellow  Craft 43 

Operative  masonry 44 


INDEX.  11 

Speculative  masonry 45 

Of  the  Globes 46 

Of  Order  in  Architecture 47 

The  Tuscan 43 

The  Doric 49 

The  Ionic 49 

The  Corinthian 50 

The  Composite 51 

Of  the  Five  Senses  of  Human  Nature 51 

Hearing 52 

Seeing 52 

Feeling 53 

Smelling 53 

Tasting 54 

Of  the  Seven  Liberal  Arts  and  Sciences 55 

Grammar 55 

Rhetoric 55 

Logic 56 

Arithmetic 56 

Geometry 56 

Music 57 

Astronomy 58 

Of  the  Moral  Advantages  of  Geometry 59 

Charge 60 

CHAPTER  VI. 

MASTER  MASON'S  DEGREE b2 

General  Remarks 62 

Working  Tools  of  a  Master  Mason 63 

Funeral  Dirge 64 

Prayer 66 

The  Three  Steps 69 

The  Pot  of  Incense 70 

The  Bee-Hive 70 

Book  of  Constitutions  guarded  by  the  Tyler's  Sword. .  .71 
The  Sword  Pointing  to  a  Naked  Heart 72 


12  INDEX. 

All-Seeing  Eye 72 

The  Anchor  and  Ark 72 

The  Forty-seventh  Problem  of  Euclid 73 

The  Hour  Glass 73 

The  Scythe 74 

Charge 75 


PART    SECOND. 
CHAPTER  I. 

MARK  MASTER'S  DEGREE 77 

Charge  to  be  read  at  opening 77 

The  Working  Tools  of  a  Mark  Master 80 

Charge 81 

Mark  Master's  Song, 83 

CHAPTER  II. 

PAST  MASTER'S  DEGREE 86 

General  Remarks 86 

Form  of  a  Petition  for  a  Charter  or  Warrant 86 

Ceremony  of  Constitution  and  Consecration 88 

Order  of  Procession 89 

Services 92 

Ceremony  of  Consecration 94 

Ceremony  of  Installation 96 

Investiture  of  the  Master 99 

To  the  Senior  Warden 100 

To  the  Junior  Warden 101 

To  the  Treasurer 102 

To  the  Secretary 103 

To  the  Senior  and  Junior  Deacons 103 

To  the  Stewards 104 

To  the  Tyler 1 04 

To  the  Master 105 

To  the  Wardens..  ..106 


INDEX.  13 

Installation  Ode 108 

Procession  at  Laying  Foundation  Stones 109 

Ceremonies  of  Laying  Foundation  Stones Ill 

Ceremonies  at  the  Dedication  of  Free  Mason's  Halls. .  .113 

Funeral  Service 117 

Ceremonies  at  the  Grave 120 

CHAPTER  111. 

MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER'S  DEGREE 126 

Psalm  read  at  opening 126 

Most  Excellent  Master's  Song 128 

Charge 135 

Psalm  read  at  closing 135 

CHAPTER  IV. 

ROYAL  ARCH  DEGREE 136 

Passage  of  Scripture  read  at  opening 137 

Prayer  at  the  Exaltation  of  a  Royal  Arch  Mason 138 

Remarks  relative  to  King  Solomon's  Temple 149 

Charge  to  a  newly-exalted  Companion 151 

Closing  Prayer 152 


PART    THIRD. 

ROYAL  MASTER'S  DEGREE 153 

SELECT  MASTER'S  DEGREE 155 

Psalm  read  at  opening 156 

Charge  to  a  Select  Master 158 


PART    FOURTH. 

ORDER  OF  PRIESTHOOD 160 

Ceremonies  at  the  Installation  of  a  Chapter  of  Royal 

Arch  Masons 164 

Prayer -.165 


14  INDEX. 

Order  of  Procession 167 

Investiture  of  the  High  Priest 173 

Charge  to  the  King 177 

Charge  to  the  Scribe 179 

Charge  to  the  Captain  of  the  Host 180 

Charge  to  the  Principal  Sojourner 181 

Charge  to  the  Royal  Arch  Captain 182 

Charge  to  the  Master  of  the  Third  Veil 183 

Charge  to  the  Master  of  the  Second  Veil 184 

Charge  to  the  Master  of  the  First  Veil 184 

Charge  to  the  Three  Masters  of  the  Veils  as  Overseers.  185 

Charge  to  the  Treasurer 186 

Charge  to  the  Secretary 186 

Charge  to  the  Chaplain 187 

Charge  to  the  Stewards 188 

Charge  to  the  Tyler 189 

Address  to  the  High  Priest 190 

Address  to  the  Officers  generally 191 

Address  to  the  Chapter  at  large 192 

Masonic  Funeral  Service  adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge 

of  Ohio 194 

General  Directions 1 94 

Order  of  Procession 196 

Services  at  the  Lodge 197 

Services  at  the  Grave 200 

Funeral  Hymn 205 

ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS 212 

Of  those  who  would  be  Free  and  Accepted  Masons. . .  .212 

Of  God  and  Religion 212 

Of  Government  and  the  Civil  Magistrate 213 

Of  Private  Duties 215 

Of  Pre-requisites 217 

Instructions  for  the  Candidate 217 

Of  Proposing  Candidates 218 

The  Candidate..,  ...219 


INDEX.  15 

Of  a  Lodge  and  its  Government 220 

Of  a  Lodge 220 

Of  Officers  and  Members  in  general 221 

Of  the  Master— his  Election,  Office  and  Duty 222 

Of  the  Wardens  of  a  Lodge 224 

Of  the  Secretary  of  a  Lodge 226 

Of  the  Treasurer  of  a  Lodge 226 

Of  the  Deacons  of  a  Lodge 227 

Of  the  Stewards  of  a  Lodge 227 

Of  the  Tyler  of  a  Lodge 228 

Of  the  number  to  be  Initiated 228 

Of  privileges  in  Lodges 229 

Of  attendance  on  a  Lodge 230 

Of  working 230 

Of  behaviour  in  the  Lodge 231 

Of  behaviour  after  the  Lodge  is  closed 232 

Of  behaviour  of  Masons  in  their  Private  Character. . .  .232 
When  a  number  of  brethren  happen  to  meet,  without 

any  stranger  among  them,  arid  not  in  a  Lodge. . .  .232 

When  in  the  presence  of  strangers 233 

When  at  home,  and  in  your  neighborhood 233 

Of  behaviour  towards  a  foreign  brother 233 

Of  behaviour  towards  a  brother,  present  or  absent. . .  .234 

Concerning  differences  and  law-suits 234 

Of  Grand  Lodges  in  general 236 

Of  the  Election  of  Grand  Master 239 

Of  the  Election  or  Appointment  of  D.  G.  Master 240 

Of  the  Grand  Wardens 240 

Of  the  Grand  Secretary 241 

Of  the  Grand  Treasurer 242 

Of  the  Grand  Tyler  and  Pursuivant 243 

General  Rules  for  conducting  business  in  the  absence 

of  the  Grand  Officers 243 

Of  Grand  Visitations,  &c 245 

Geueral  Regulations  of  Ancient  York  Masons 246 


16  INDEX. 

Regulations  ror  the  Government  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 

during  the  time  of  public  business 259 

ANCIENT  CONSTITUTIONS 261 

The  Charges  of  a  Free  Mason 262 

Concerning  God  and  Keligion 263 

Of  the  Civil  Magistrate,  Supreme  and  Subordinate 263 

Of  Lodges 264 

Of  Masters,  Wardens,  Fellows,  and  Apprentices 265 

Of  the  Management  of  of  the  Craft  in  Working 266 

Of  Behaviour 268 

In  the  Lodge  while  constituted 268 

Behaviour  after  the  Lodge  is  over,  and  the  brethren 

not  gone 269 

Behaviour  when  brethren  meet  without  strangers, 

but  not  in  a  Lodge  formed 269 

Behaviour  in  presence  of  strangers  not  Masons 270 

Behaviour  at  home  and  in  your  neighborhood 270 

Behaviour  towards  a  strange  brother 271 

Postscript 273 

General  Regulations 274 

Postscript 292 

Approbation 295 

Form  for  a  Dispensation 298 

Charge  to  a  Grand  Master  at  his  Installation 300 

The  Farewell. 315 

Constitution  of  the   General  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal 

Arch  Masons  for  the  United  States  of  America 302 


THE  CRAFTSMAN. 


PAET    FIRST. 


CHAPTER  I. 

GENERAL    REMARKS. 


MASONRY  is  an  art  equally  useful  and  extensive 
In  every  part  there  is  a  mystery  which  requires  a 
gradual  progression  of  knowledge  to  arrive  at  any 
degree  of  perfection  in  it.  Without  much  instruction, 
and  more  exercise,  no  man  can  be  skilful  in  any  art: 
m  like  manner,  without  an  assiduous  application  to  the 
various  subjects  treated  of  in  the  different  lectures  of 
Masonry,  no  person  can  be  sufficiently  acquainted  with 
its  true  value. 

It  must  not,  however,  be  inferred  from  this  remark 
that  persons  who  labor  under  the  disadvantages  of  a 
limited  education,  or  whose  condition  in  life  requires  a 
more  intense  application  to  business  or  study,  are  to  be 
discouraged  in  their  endeavors  to  gain  a  knowledge  of 
Masonry. 


18  PRELIMINARIES. 

To  qualify  an  individual  to  enjoy  the  benefit  of  the 
society  at  large,  or  to  partake  of  its  privileges,  it  is  not 
absolutely  necessary  that  he  should  be  acquainted  with 
all  the  intricate  parts  of  the  science.  These  are  only 
intended  for  the  diligent  and  assiduous  Mason,  who 
may  have  leisure  and  opportunity  to  indulge  in  such 
pursuits. 

Though  some  are  more  able  than  others,  some  more 
eminent,  some  more  useful,  yet  all,  in  their  different 
spheres,  may  prove  advantageous  to  the  community. 
As  the  nature  of  every  man's  profession  will  not  admit 
of  that  leisure  which  is  necessary  to  qualify  him  to 
become  an  expert  Mason,  it  is  highly  proper  that  the 
official  duties  of  a  Lodge  should  be  executed  by  per 
sons  whose  education  and  situation  in  life  enable  them 
to  become  adepts ;  as  it  must  be  allowed  that  all  who 
accept  offices  and  exercise  authority  should  be  properly 
qualified  to  discharge  the  task  assigned  them,  with 
honor  to  themselves  and  credit  to  their  respective 
stations. 


CHAPTER   II. 

THE    CEREMONY    OF    OPENING    AND    CLOSING    THE    LODGE. 

IN  all  regular  assemblies  of  men  who  are  convened 
for  wise  and  useful  purposes,  the  commencement  and 
conclusion  of  business  are  accompanied  with  some 


PRELIMINARIES.  19 

form.  In  every  country  the  practice  prevails,  and  is 
deemed  essential.  From  the  most  remote  periods  of 
antiquity  it  may  be  traced,  and  the  refined  improve 
ments  of  modern  times  have  not  totally  abolished  it. 

Ceremonies,  when  simply  considered,  it  is  true,  are 
of  but  little  value;  but  their  effects  are  sometimes 
important.  When  they  impress  awe  and  reverence  on 
the  mind,  and  engage  the  attention  to  solemn  rites  by 
external  attraction,  they  are  interesting  objects.  These 
purposes  are  effected  by  judicious  ceremonies,  when 
regularly  conducted  and  properly  arranged.  On  this 
ground  they  have  received  the  sanction  of  the  wisest 
men  in  all  ages,  and  consequently  could  not  escape  the 
notice  of  Masons.  To  begin  well,  is  the  most  likely 
means  to  end  well :  and  it  is  judiciously  remarked,  that 
when  order  and  method  are  neglected  at  the  beginning, 
they  will  be  seldom  found  to  take  place  at  the  end. 

The  importance  of  performing  the  ceremony  of  open 
ing  and  closing  a  Lodge  with  solemnity  and  decorum, 
is  therefore  universally  admitted  among  Masons ;  and 
though  the  mode  in  some  Lodges  may  vary,  and  in 
every  degree  must  vary,  still  an  uniformity  in  the  gen 
eral  practice  prevails  in  every  Lodge ;  and  the  variation 
(if  any)  is  solely  occasioned  by  a  want  of  method, 
which  a  little  application  might  easily  remove. 

To  conduct  this  ceremony  with  propriety,  ought  to 
be  the  particular  study  of  every  Mason;  especially  of 
those  who  have  the  honor  to  rule  in  our  assemblies. 
To  persons  who  are  thus  dignified,  every  eye  is  natu- 


20  PRELIMINARIES. 

rally  directed  for  propriety  of  conduct  and  behaviour ; 
and  from  them,  other  brethren  who  are  less  informed, 
will  naturally  expect  an  example  worthy  of  imitation. 

From  a  share  in  this  ceremony  no  Mason  can  be 
exempted.  It  is  a  general  concern,  in  which  all  must 
assist.  This  is  the  first  request  of  the  Master  and  the 
prelude  to  all  business.  No  sooner  has  it  been  signi 
fied,  than  every  officer  repairs  to  his  station,  and  the 
brethren  rank  according  to  their  degrees.  The  busi 
ness  of  the  meeting  becomes  the  sole  object  of  attention, 
and  the  mind  is  insensibly  drawn  from  those  indis 
criminate  subjects  of  conversation,  which  are  apt  to 
intrude  on  our  less  serious  moments. 

This  effect  accomplished,  our  care  is  directed  to  the 
external  avenues  of  the  Lodge ;  and  the  proper  officers, 
whose  province  it  is  to  discharge  that  duty,  execute 
their  trust  with  fidelity,  and  by  certain  mystic  forms, 
of  no  recent  date,  intimate  that  we  may  safely  proceed. 
To  detect  imposters  among  ourselves,  an  adherence  to 
order  in  the  character  of  Masons  ensues,  and  the  Lodge 
is  opened  in  solemn  form. 

At  opening  the  Lodge,  two  purposes  are  wisely 
effected :  the  Master  is  reminded  of  the  dignity  of  his 
character,  and  the  brethren  of  the  homage  and  vene 
ration  due  from  them  in  their  respective  stations. 
These  are  not  the  only  advantages  resulting  from  a  due 
observance  of  this  ceremony ;  a  reverential  awe  for  the 
Deity  is  inculcated,  and  the  eye  fixed  on  that  object, 
from  whose  radiant  beams  only,  light  can  be  derived. 


PRELIMINARIES.  21 

Here  we  are  taught  to  adore  the  God  of  Heaven,  and 
to  supplicate  his  blessing  on  our  well  meant  endeavors. 
The  Master  assumes  his  government  in  due  form,  and 
under  him  his  Wardens,  who  accept  their  trust,  after 
the  customary  salutations.  The  brethren  then,  with 
one  accord,  unite  in  duty  and  respect,  and  the  ceremony 
concludes. 

At  closing  the  Lodge  a  similar  form  is  used.  Here 
the  less  important  duties  of  Masonry  are  not  passed 
over  unobserved.  The  necessary  degree  of  subordi 
nation  in  the  government  of  a  Lodge  is  peculiarly 
marked,  while  the  proper  tribute  of  gratitude  is  offered 
up  to  the  beneficent  Author  of  life,  and  his  blessing 
invoked  upon  the  whole  fraternity.  Each  brother 
faithfully  locks  up  the  treasure  he  has  acquired,  in  his 
own  secret  repository;  and,  pleased  with  his  reward, 
retires  to  enjoy  and  disseminate  among  the  private  cir 
cle  of  his  brethren,  the  fruits  of  his  labor  and  industry 
in  the  Lodge. 

These  are  faint  outlines  of  a  ceremony  which  uni 
versally  prevails  among  Masons  in  every  country,  and 
distinguishes  all  their  meetings.  It  is  arranged 'as  a 
general  section  in  every  degree,  and  takes  the  lead  in 
all  our  illustrations. 

CHARGE    USED    AT    OPENING    A    LODGE. 

Behold !  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  breth 
ren  to  dwell  together  in  unity ! 


22  PRELIMINARIES. 

It  is  like  the  precious  ointment  upon  the  head,  that 
ran  down  upon  the  beard,  even  Aaron's  beard,  that 
went  down  to  the  skirts  of  his  garments ; 

As  the  dew  of  Hermon,  and  as  the  dew  that  de 
scended  upon  the  mountains  of  Zion ;  for  there  the  Lord 
commanded  the  blessing,  even  life  forever  more. 

A    PRAYER    USED    AT    CLOSING    A    LODGE. 

May  the  blessing  of  Heaven  rest  upon  us,  and  all 
regular  Masons :  may  brotherly  love  prevail,  and  every 
moral  and  social  virtue  cement  us.  Amen. 

[NOTE. — If  a  clergyman  be  present,  he  may  be  requested 
by  the  Master  to  lead  in  the  devotion  at  opening  and 
dosing .] 

CHARGE    AT    CLOSING   A    LODGE. 

BRETHREN  : — You  are  now  about  to  quit  this  sacred 
retreat  of  friendship  and  virtue,  to  mix  again  with  the 
world.  Amidst  its  concerns  and  temptations,  forget 
not  the  duties  you  have  heard  so  frequently  inculcated 
and  so  forcibly  recommended  in  this  Lodge.  Be  dili 
gent,  prudent,  temperate,  discreet.  Remember  that 
you  have  promised  to  befriend  and  relieve  every  brother 
who  shall  need  your  assistance :  you  have  promised  to 
remind  him,  in  the  most  friendly  manner,  of  his  errors ; 
and  if  possible,  aid  him  in  a  reformation.  These  gen 
erous  principles  are  to  extend  further.  Every  human 
being  has  a  claim  upon  your  kind  offices.  Do  good 
unto  all.  Remember  it  more  "especially  to  the  house 
hold  of  the  faithful." 

Finally,  brethren,  be  ye  all  of  one  mind,  live  in 
peace,  and  may  the  God  of  love  and  peace  delight  to 
dwell  with  and  bless  you. 


PRELIMINARIES.  23 

CHAPTER  III. 

INSTRUCTIONS   TO   A  PERSON  WISHING  TO  BECOME    A 

MASON. 

No  person  can  become  a  Mason,  consistently  with 
the  ancient  and  salutary  usages  of  our  order,  unless 
he  be  free  born,  and,  at  least  twenty-one  years  of  age; 
of  a  good  moral  character;  temperate,  industrious, 
charitable,  and  possessed  of  public  spirit  and  the  social 
virtues.  He  must  be  of  sufficient  natural  endowments 
to  be  respectable,  and  must  have,  entire,  all  the  facul 
ties  and  senses  of  a  man.  He  must  also  have  an  estate, 
office,  trade,  occupation,  or  some  visible  means  of  ac 
quiring  an  honest  livelihood,  as  becomes  the  members 
of  this  ancient  and  honorable  fraternity.  In  short,  he 
must  have  a  sound  head  and  a  good  heart,  and  be 
exempt  from  all  those  ill  qualities  and  vices  which 
bring  dishonor  to  the  craft. 

A  person  possessing  the  foregoing  qualifications 
must  be  proposed,  at  his  own  voluntary  request,  by  a 
friend  or  acquaintance  belonging  to  the  Lodge  of  which 
he  wishes  to  become  a  member,  at  least  one  meeting 
previous  to  the  time  of  initiation. 

All  applications  for  admission  should  be  made  in 
writing,  in  the  following  form : 

"To  the  Worshipful  Master,  Wardens  and  Brethren  of 

Lodae,  3b.  — ,  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  : 

The  petition  of  the  subscriber  respectfully  sheweth, 

that,  entertaining  a  favorable  opinion  of  your  ancient 


24  PRELIMINARIES. 

institution,  he  is  desirous  of  being  admitted  a  member 
thereof,  if  found  worthy. 

His  place  of  residence  is ,  his  age years, 

his  occupation . 

Recommended  by )  (  Signed) 

j  A.  B." 

Before  admission,  the  candidate  must  assent  to  the 
following  interrogatories : 

1  'Do  you  seriously  declare,  upon  your  honor,  that 
unbiassed  by  friends,  and  uninfluenced  by  mercenary 
motives,  you  freely  and  voluntarily  offer  yourself  a 
candidate  for  the  mysteries  of  Masonry? 

"Do  you  seriously  declare,  upon  your  honor,  that 
you  are  prompted  to  solicit  the  privileges  of  Masonry 
by  a  favorable  opinion  of  the  institution,  a  desire  for 
knowledge,  and  a  sincere  wish  of  being  serviceable  to 
your  fellow  creatures? 

"Do  you  seriously  declare,  upon  your  honor,  that 
you  will  conform  to  all  the  ancient  established  usages 
of  the  order?" 

If  there  remain  no  objection,  the  candidate  is  intro 
duced  in  due  form.  But  he  has  a  right,  previous  to 
presenting  himself,  to  desire  his  friend  to  show  him  the 
warrant  or  dispensation  by  which  the  Lodge  is  held ; 
which,  if  genuine,  he  will  find  to  be  an  instrument 
written  or  printed  upon  paper  or  parchment,  signed  by 
some  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy,  the  Grand  Wardens 
and  Secretaiy,  and  sealed  with  the  Grand  Lodge  Seal. 

He  may  also  request  the  perusal  of  the  By-laws, 
and  has  a  right  to  examine  a  complete  list  of  the  mem 
bers,  to  learn  whether  the  Lodge  contains  any  member 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE.  25 

with  whom  lie  cannot  consistently  and  cordially  asso 
ciate. 

Should  the  candidate  find  the  charter  to  be  genuine, 
the  by-laws  salutary,  and  such  as  he  can  cheerfully 
observe;  and  should  he  be  pleased  with  all  the  breth 
ren  of  the  Lodge,  his  wish  to  proceed  is  reported  to  the 
Master,  who  makes  it  known  to  the  Lodge. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ENTERED  APPRENTICE'S  DEGREE. 

THE  first  lecture  of  Masonry  is  divided  into  three 
sections,  and  each  section  into  several  clauses.  Virtue 
is  painted  in  the  most  beautiful  colors,  and  the  duties 
of  morality  are  enforced.  In  it  we  are  taught  various 
useful  lessons,  to  prepare  the  mind  for  a  regular  ad 
vancement  in  the  principles  of  knowledge  and  philoso 
phy.  These  are  imprinted  on  the  mind  by  lively  and 
sensible  hieroglyphical  figures,  which  are  here  explained, 
and  which  have  a  moral  tendency,  and  inculcate  the 
practice  of  virtue. 

Section  First. 

This  part  of  the  lecture  of  an  Entered  Apprentice 
unfolds  our  object  in  visiting  the  hall  of  Masonry ;  de 
velops  the  justice  of  our  pretensions  to  the  privileges 
of  the  order;  illustrates  the  manner  of  our  reception 


26  ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 

within  the  threshhold  of  a  Lodge ;  reminds  us  of  our 
dependence  on  the  supporting  hand  of  Deity ;  exhibits 
the  pledge  of  our  fidelity,  secrecy,  and  conformity  to 
immemorial  masonic  customs ;  opens  our  eyes  to  the 
light  of  knowledge ;  presents  to  our  hearts  the  lovely 
purity  of  innocence j  draws  upon  our  affections  by  the 
silken  cord  of  charity ;  and  speculatively  explains  the 
implements  of  the  degree. 

A  prayer  used  at  the  initiation  of  a  candidate. 

Vouchsafe  thine  aid,  Almighty  Father  of  the  Uni 
verse,  to  this  our  present  convention ;  and  grant  that 
this  candidate  for  Masonry  may  dedicate  and  devote 
his  life  to  thy  service,  and  become  a  true  and  faithful 
brother  among  us!  Endow  him  with  a  competency 
of  thy  divine  wisdom,  that,  by  the  secrets  of  our  art, 
he  may  be  better  enabled  to  display  the  beauties  of 
brotherly  love,  relief,  and  truth,  to  the  honor  of  thy  holy 
name.  Amen. 

Or  this, 

0  thou  supreme  Author  of  our  being  and  lover  of 
our  souls; — thou  who  art  every  where  present,  and 
knowest  the  thoughts  and  intentions  of  our  hearts  ; 
bless  us,  we  pray  thee,  in  our  endeavors  to  do  good, 
and  spread  peace  and  concord  and  unity  among  our 
fellow  men.  May  this  our  friend,  who  is  now  to  be 
come  our  brother,  devote  his  life  to  thy  service  and  his 
talents  to  thy  glory.  May  he  be  endowed  with  wisdom 
to  direct  him  in  all  his  ways,  strength  to  support  him 
in  all  his  difficulties,  and  the  beauty  of  morality  and 
virtue  to  adorn  his  life.  May  he  set  Thee  constantly 
before  his  eyes,  and  seek  thy  approbation  as  his  great 
est  treasure.  May  he  become  enlightened  in  the 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 


27 


knowledge  of  divine  things,  and  be  induced  to  love 
Thee  from  thy  manifest  love  to  him.  And  may  he 
and  we  regulate  our  actions  by  the  light  of  thy  re 
vealed  truth,  and  so  construct  our  spiritual  edifice,  that 
when  done  laboring  as  apprentices  in  this  lower  tem 
ple,  we  may  be  raised  to  the  sublime  employments  of 
the  upper  sanctuary — in  that  temple  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens,  whose  builder  and 
maker  is  God.  Amen. 

Behold !  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  breth 
ren  to  dwell  together  in  unity !  &c. 


Toward  the  close  of  the  section  is  explained  that 
peculiar  ensign  of  masonry,  the 
lamb-sikin  or  white  apron,  which 
is  an  emblem  of  innocence  and 
the  badge  of  a  Mason ;  more  an 
cient  than  the  golden  fleece,  or 
I  Roman  eagle ;  and  when  worthily 

worn,  more  honorable  than  the  star  and  garter,  or 


28 


ENTERED   APPRENTICE. 


any  other  order  that  could  be  conferred  upon  the 
candidate  at  that  or  any  future  period.  It  has  been 
worn  by  kings,  princes,  and  potentates  of  the  earth, 
who  have  never  been  ashamed  to  wear  it,  and  which 
every  one  ought  to  wear  with  equal  pleasure  to  him 
self  and  honor  to  the  fraternity. 

This  section  closes  with  an  explanation  of  the  work' 

ing  tools  of  an  Entered  Apprentice,    which  are  the 

twenty-four  inch  gauge  and  the  common  gavel. 

I  i  i  -.         The  twenty-four  inch 

'  — i    i     i    1 1    gauge  is  an  instrument 

made  use  of  by  operative  masons,  to  measure  and  lay 
out  their  work;  but  we,  as  free  and  accepted  Masons, 
are  taught  to  make  use  of  it  for  the  more  noble  and 
glorious  purpose  of  dividing  our  time.  It  being  divided 
into  twenty-four  equal  parts  is  emblematical  of  the 
twenty-four  hours  of  the  day,  which  we  are  taught  to 
divide  into  three  parts,  whereby  we  find  a  portion  for 
the  service  of  God  and  the  relief  of  a  distressed  worthy 
brother;  a  portion  for  our  usual  avocations,  and  a  por 
tion  for  refreshment  and  sleep. 

J,/^==— —___^lf  The  common  gavel  is  an  instru- 
0^  (g  y 

Hy  ment  made  use   of  by  operative 

masons,  to  break  off  the  superfluous  corners  of  rough 
stones,  the  better  to  fit  them  for  the  builder's  use ;  but 
we,  as  free  and  accepted  Masons,  are  taught  to  make 
use  of  it  for  the  more  noble  and  glorious  purpose  of 
divesting  our  minds  and  consciences  of  all  the  vices 
and  superfluities  of  life;  thereby  fitting  us,  as  living 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE.  29 

stones,  for  that  spiritual  building,  that  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 
Section  Second. 

The  second  section  rationally  accounts  for  the  ceremo 
ny  of  initiating  a  candidate  into  our  ancient  institution. 

*         *         *          *  *  *  * 

Every  candidate,  at  his  initiation,  is  presented  with 
a  lamb-skin  or  white  apron. 

The  Lamb  has,  in  all  ages, 
been  deemed  an  emblem  of 
innocence;  he,  therefore,  who 
wears  the  lamb-skin  as  a 
badge  of  Masonry,  is  thereby 
continually  reminded  of  that 
purity  of  life  and  conduct,  which  is  essentially  neces 
sary  to  his  gaining  admission  into  the  Celestial  Lodge 
above,  where  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe 

presides.      *         *         *  *         *         * 

Section  Third. 

This  section  explains  what  constitutes  a  Lodge,  and 
teaches  us  to  perform  with  propriety,  the  duties  of  our 
respective  stations.  Here  likewise,  we  receive  instruc 
tion  relative  to  the  form,  supports,  covering,  furniture, 
ornaments,  lights  and  jewels  of  a  Lodge ;  how  it  should 
be  situated,  and  to  whom  dedicated. 


30 


ENTERED   APPRENTICE. 


From  East  to  West,  and  between  the  North  and  the 
South,  Freemasonry  extends ;  and  in  every  clime  are 
Masons  toife  found. 


Our  institution  is  said  to  be 
supported  by  Wisdom,  /Strength, 
and  Beauty,  because  it  is  neces 
sary  that  their  should  be  wisdom 
to  contrive,  strength  to  support, 
and  beauty  to  adorn  all  great  and 
important  undertakings. 


w         s 

Its  dimensions  are  unlimited  and  its  covering  no  less 
than  the  canopy  of  heaven.     To  this  object  the  Mason's 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 


mind  is  continually  directed,  and  thither  he  hopes  at 
last  to  arrive,  by  the  aid  of  the  theological  ladder,  which 


m 

Jacob,  in  his  vision,  saw  ascending  from  earth  to 
heaven;  the  three  principal  rounds  of  which  are  de 
nominated  Faith,  Hope,  and  Charity /  and  which  ad 
monish  us  to  have  faith  in  God,  hope  in  immortality, 
and  charity  to  all  mankind.  The  greateslBF  these  is 
Charity;  for  our  Faith  will  be  lost  in  sight,  Hope  ends 
in  fruition,  but  Charity  extends  beyond  the  grav<% 
through  the  boundless  realms  of  eternity. 

Every  well  governed  Lodge  is 
furnished  with  the  Holy  Bible, 
square,  and  compasses.  The  Holy 
Bible  is  dedicated  to  God ;  the 
square  to  the  Master ;  and  the 
compasses  to  the  Craft.  The  Bible  is  dedicated  to  God, 
because  it  is  the  inestimable  gift  of  God  to  man,  *  * 
*  *  *  ;  the  square  to  the  Master,  because  it  is  the 


32  ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 

proper  masonic  emblem  of  his  office,  and  should  con 
tinually  remind  him  of  the  duty  that  he  owes  to  the 
Lodge  over  which  he  is  elected  to  preside;  and  the 
compasses  to  the  Craft,  because  by  a  due  attention  to 
their  use,  they  are  taught  to  circumscribe  their  desires, 
and  keep  their  passions  within  due  bounds. 


The  ornaments  of  a  Lodge  are,  the  mosaic  pavement, 
indented  tessel,  and  the  blazing  star.  The  mosaic  pave 
ment  is  a  representation  of  the  ground-floor  of  king 
Solomon's  temple;  the  indented  tessel,  of  that  beauti 
fully  tessellated  border  or  skirting  which  surrounded 
it;  and  the  blazing  star  in  the  center,  is  com 
memorative  of  that  star  which  appeared  to  guide  the 
wise  men  of  the  east  to  the  place  of  our  Saviour's 
nativity. 

The  mosaic  pavement  is  emblematical  of  human  life, 
checkered  with  good  and  evil ;  the  beautiful  border 
which  surrounds  it,  of  those  manifold  blessings  and 
comforts  that  surround  us — and  which  we  hope  to 
enjoy,  by  a  faithful  reliance  on  Divine  Providence, 
which  is  hieroglyphically  represented  by  the  blazing 

star  in  the  center. 

***** 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 


33 


The  immoveable  and  moveable  jewels  also  claim  our 
attention  in  this  section. 


****** 

The  rough  ashler  is  a  stone  as  taken 
from  the  quarry  in  its  rude  and  natu- 

The  perfect  ashler  is  a  stone  made 
ready  by  the  hands  of  the  workmen  to 
be  adjusted  by  the  working  tools  of  the  Fellow-craft. 

The  trestle  board  is 
for  the  master  work 
man  to  draw  his  de 
signs  upon. 
3 


34 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 


By  the  rough  ashler  we  are  reminded  of  our  rude 
and  imperfect  state  by  nature ;  by  the  perfect  ashler, 
of  that  state  of  perfection  at  which  we  hope  to  arrive 
by  a  virtuous  education,  our  own  endeavors,  and  the 
blessing  of  God ;  and  by  the  trestle  board  we  are  also 
reminded  that,  as  the  operative  workman  erects  his 
temporal  building  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  designs 
laid  down  by  the  Master  on  his  trestle  board,  so  should 
we,  both  operative  and  speculative,  endeavor  to  erect 
our  spiritual  building  agreeably  to  the  rules  and  designs 
laid  down  by  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  Universe, 
in  the  great  book  of  revelation,  which  is  our  spiritual, 
moral,  and  masonic  trestle  board. 


Lodges  were  anciently  dedicated  to  king  Solomon 
as  it  is  said  he  was  the  first  Most  Excellent  Grand 
Master;  but  Masons  professing  Christianity  dedicate 
theirs  to  St.  John  the  Baptist  and  St.  John  the  Evan 
gelist,  who  were  two  eminent  Christian  patrons  of 
masonry ;  and  since  their  time,  there  is,  or  ought  to 
be  represented,  in  every  regular  and 
well-governed  Lodge,  a  certain  point 
within  a  circle;  the  point  representing 
an  individual  brother ;  the  circle,  the 
E  boundary  line  of  his  conduct,  beyond 
which  he  is  never  to  suffer  his  preju- 


ENTERED   APPRENTICE.  35 

dices  or  passions  to  betray  him.  This  circle  is  embor- 
dered  by  two  perpendicular  parallel  lines,  representing 
St.  John  the  Baptist  and  St.  John  the  Evangelist;  and 
upon  the  top  rests  the  Holy  Scriptures.  In  going  round 
this  circle,  we  necessarily  touch  upon  these  two  lines, 
as  well  as  upon  the  Holy  Scriptures;  and  while  a 
Mason  keeps  himself  circumscribed  within  their  pre 
cepts,  it  is  impossible  that  he  should  materially  err. 
#  %  *  #  #  * 

OF    BROTHERLY    LOVE. 

By  the  exercise  of  brotherly  love,  we  are  taught  to 
regard  the  whole  human  species  as  one  family,  the 
high  and  low,  the  rich  and  poor,  who,  as  created  by 
one  Almighty  Parent,  and  inhabitants  *\of  the  same 
planet,  are  to  aid,  support,  and  protect  each  other. 
On  this  principle,  Masonry  unites  men  of  every  coun 
try,  sect  and  opinion,  and  conciliates  true  friendship 
among  those  who  might  otherwise  have  remained  at 
a  perpetual  distance. 

OP    RELIEF. 

To  relieve  the  distressed,  is  a  duty  incumbent  on  all 
men ;  but  particularly  on  Masons,  who  are  linked  to 
gether  by  an  indissoluble  chain  of  sincere  affection. 
To  soothe  the  unhappy,  to  sympathise  writh  their  mis 
fortunes,  to  compassionate  their  miseries,  and  to  restore 
peace  to  their  troubled  minds,  is  the  grand  aim  we 
have  in  view.  On  this  basis  we  form  our  friendships 
and  establish  our  connexions. 


36 


ENTERED  APPRENTICE. 


OF  TRUTH. 

Truth  is  a  divine  attribute,  and  the  foundation  of 
every  virtue.  To  be  good  and  true,  is  the  first  lesson 
we  are  taught  in  masonry.  On  this  theme  we  con 
template,  and  by  its  dictates  endeavor  to  regulate  our 
conduct;  hence,  while  influenced  by  this  principle, 
hypocrisy  and  deceit  are  unknown  amongst  us,  sin 
cerity  and  plain  dealing  distinguish  us,  and  the  heart 
and  tongue  join  in  promoting  each  other's  welfare,  and 
rejoicing  at  each  other's  prosperity. 

*  *  *  #  * 

To  this  illustration  succeeds  an  explanation  of  the 
four  cardinal  virtues — temperance,  fortitude,  prudence, 
and  justice. 

OF    TEMPERANCE. 


Temperance  is  that  due  re 
straint  upon  our  affections  and 
passions,  which  renders  the 
body  tame  and  governable, 
and  frees  the  mind  from  the 
allurements  of  vice.  This 
virtue  should  be  the  constant 
practice  of  every  Mason,  as 
he  is  thereby  taught  to  avoid 
excess,  or  contracting  any  li 
centious  or  vicious  habit,  the 
indulgence  of  which  might 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 


37 


lead  him  to  disclose  some  of  those  valuable  secrets 
which  he  has  promised  to  conceal  and  never  reveal, 
and  which  would  consequently  subject  him  to  the  con 
tempt  and  detestation  of  all  good  Masons.  *  * 


OF    FORTITUDE. 


Fortitude  is  that  noble  and 
steady  purpose  of  the  mind, 
whereby  we  are  enabled  to  un 
dergo  any  pain,  peril,  or  dan 
ger,  when  prudentially  deemed 
expedient.  This  virtue  is  equally 
distant  from  rashness  and  cow 
ardice;  and  like  the  former, 
should  be  deeply  impressed  upon 
the  mind  of  every  Mason,  as 
a  safe-guard  or  security  against 
any  illegal  attack  that  may  be 
made,  by  force  or  otherwise,  to  extort  from  him  any 
of  those  secrets  with  which  he  has  been  so  solemnly 
entrusted ;  and  which  virtue  was  emblematically  rep 
resented  upon  his  first  admission  into  the  Lodge.  * 


38 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 


OF    PRUDENCE. 

Prudence  teaches  us  to  regu 
late  our  lives  and  actions  agree 
ably  to  the  dictates  of  reason, 
and  is  that  habit  by  which  we 
wisely  judge,  and  prudentially 
determine,  on  all  things  rela 
tive  to  our  present,  as  well  as 
our  future  happiness.  This 
virtue  should  be  the  particular 
characteristic  of  every  Mason, 
not  only  while  in  the  Lodge,  but 
also  when  abroad  in  the  world; 
it  should  be  particularly  attended  to  in  all  strange  or 
mixed  companies,  never  to  let  fall  the  least  sign,  token, 
or  word,  wrhereby  the  secrets  of  masonry  might  be 
unlawfully  obtained. 

OF  JUSTICE. 

Justice  is  that  standard  or  boun 
dary  of  right,  which  enables  us  to 
render  to  every  man  his  just  due 
without  distinction.  This  virtue 
is  not  only  consistent  with  divine 
and  human  law,  but  is  the  very 
cement  and  support  of  civil  socie 
ty  ;  and,  as  justice  in  a  great  mea 
sure  constitutes  the  real  good 
man,  so  should  it  be  the  invaria 
ble  practice  of  every  Mason  never 
to~deviaie  from  the  minutest  principles  thereof.  *  * 


ENTERED    APPRENTICE.  39 

The  illustration  of  these  virtues  is  accompanied  with 
some  general  observations  peculiar  to  Masons. 

Such  is  the  arrangement  of  the  different  sections  in 
the  first  lecture,  which,  with  the  forms  adopted  at  the 
opening  and  closing  of  a  Lodge,  comprehend  the  whole 
of  the  first  degree  of  masonry.  The  whole  is  a  regular 
system  of  morality ;  conceived  in  a  strain  of  interesting- 
allegory,  which  must  unfold  its  beauties  to  the  candid 
and  industrious  enquirer. 

Charge  at  Initiation  into  the  First  Degree. 

Brother — As  you  are  now  introduced  into  the  first 
principles  of  masonry,  I  congratulate  you  on  being 
accepted  into  this  ancient  and  honorable  order;  ancient, 
as  having  existed  from  time  immemorial ;  and  honor 
able,  as  tending  in  every  particular  so  to  render  all 
men  who  will  conform  to  its  precepts.  No  human  in 
stitution  was  ever  raised  on  a  better  principle,  or  more 
solid  foundation;  nor  were  ever  more  excellent  rules 
and  useful  maxims  laid  down  than  are  inculcated  in  the 
several  masonic  lectures.  The  greatest  and  best  of 
men  in  all  ages  have  been  encouragers  and  promoters 
of  the  art,  and  have  never  deemed  it  derogatory  to  their 
dignity  to  level  themselves  with  the  fraternity,  extend 
their  privileges,  and  patronize  their  assemblies. 

There  are  three  great  duties,  which,  as  a  Mason,  you 
are  srictly  to  observe  and  inculcate — to  God,  your 
neighbor,  and  yourself.  To  God  in  never  mentioning 
his  name  but  with  that  reverential  awe  which  is  due 


40  ENTERED    APPRENTICE. 

from  a  creature  to  his  Creator ;  to  implore  his  aid  in 
all  your  laudable  undertakings,  and  to  esteem  Him  as 
your  chief  good.  To  your  neighbor,  in  acting  upon 
the  square,  and  doing  unto  him  as  you  would  he 
should  do  unto  you :  and  to  yourself,  in  avoiding  all 
irregularity  and  intemperance,  which  may  impair 
your  faculties,  or  debase  the  dignity  of  your  profession. 
A  zealous  attachment  to  these  duties  will  insure  public 
and  private  esteem. 

In  the  State  you  are  to  be  a  quiet  and  peaceable 
citizen,  true  to  your  government,  and  just  to  your 
country  ;  you  are  not  to  countenance  disloyalty  or  re 
bellion,  but  patiently  submit  to  legal  authority  and 
conform  with  cheerfulness  to  the  government  of  the 
country  in  which  you  live. 

In  your  outward  demeanor  be  particularly  careful 
to  avoid  censure  or  reproach.  Let  not  interest,  favor 
or  prejudice,  bias  your  integrity,  or  influence  you  to  be 
guilty  of  a  dishonorable  action.  And  although  your 
frequent  appearance  at  our  regular  meetings  is  earnestly 
solicited,  yet  it  is  not  meant  that  masonry  should  in 
terfere  with  your  necessary  avocations,  for  these  are  on 
no  account  to  be  neglected  :  neither  are  you  to  suffer 
your  zeal  for  the  institution  to  lead  you  into  arguments 
with  those  who,  through  ignorance,  may  ridicule  it. 
But,  at  your  leisure  hours,  that  you  may  improve  in 
masonic  knowledge,  you  are  to  converse  with  well- 
informed  brethren,  who  will  be  always  as  ready  to  give, 
as  you  will  be  ready  to  receive  instruction. 


ENTERED   APPRENTICE.  41 

Finally — keep  sacred  and  inviolable  the  mysteries  of 
the  order,  as  these  are  to  distinguish  you  from  the  rest 
of  the  community  and  mark  your  consequence  among 
Masons.  If,  in  the  circle  of  your  acquaintance,  you 
find  a  person  desirous  of  being  initiated  into  masonry, 
be  particularly  careful  not  to  recommend  him,  unless 
you  are  convinced  he  will  conform  to  our  rules ;  that 
the  honor,  glory,  and  reputation  of  the  institution  may 
be  firmly  established,  and  the  world  at  large  convinced 
of  its  good  effects. 

If  the  candidate  be  a  Clergyman,  add  the  following: 

You,  brother,  are  a  preacher  of  that  religion,  of 
which  the  distinguishing  characteristics  are  universal 
benevolence  and  unbounded  charity.  You  cannot, 
therefore,  but  be  fond  of  the  order,  and  zealous  for  the 
interests  of  Freemasonry,  which,  in  the  strongest  man 
ner,  inculcates  the  same  charity  and  benevolence,  and 
which,  like  that  religion,  encourages  every  moral  and 
social  virtue  ;  which  introduces  peace  and  good  will 
among  mankind,  and  is  the  center  of  union  to  those 
who  otherwise  might  have  remained  at  a  perpetual  dis 
tance.  So  that  whoever  is  warmed  with  the  spirit  of 
Christianity,  must  esteem,  must  love  Freemasonry. 
Such  is  the  nature  of  our  institution,  that,  in  all  our 
Lodges,  union  is  cemented  by  sincere  attachment,  hy 
pocrisy  and  deceit  are  unknown,  and  pleasure  is  recip 
rocally  communicated,  by  the  cheerful  observance  of 
every  obliging  office.  Virtue,  the  grand  object  in  view, 


42  FELLOW  CRAFT. 

luminous  as  the  meridian  sun,  shines  refulgent  on  the 
mind,  enlivens  the  heart,  and  converts  cool  approbation 
into  warm  sympathy  and  cordial  affection. 

Though  every  man,  who  carefully  listens  to  the 
dictates  of  reason,  may  arrive  at  a  clear  persuasion 
of  the  beauty  and  necessity  of  virtue,  both  public  and 
private,  yet  it  is  a  full  recommendation  of  a  society  to 
have  these  pursuits  continually  in  view,  as  the  sole 
objects  of  their  association :  and  these  are  the  laudable 
bonds  which  unite  us  in  one  indissoluble  fraternity. 


CHAPTER  V. 

FELLOW    CRAFT'S    DEGREE. 

Section  First. 

THE  first  section  of  the  second  degree  accurately 
elucidates  the  mode  of  instruction  into  that  particular 
class ;  and  instructs  the  diligent  craftsman  how  to  pro 
ceed  in  the  proper  arrangement  of  the  ceremonies  used 
on  the  occasion.  The  knowledge  of  this  section  is 
absolutely  necessary  for  all  craftsmen ;  and  as  it  re 
capitulates  the  ceremony  of  initiation,  and  contains 
many  other  important  particulars,  no  officer  or  member 
of  a  Lodge  should  be  unacquainted  with  it. 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  43 

The  following  passage  of  Scripture  is  here  introduced : 

"Thus  he  showed  me;  and,  behold  the  Lord  stood 
upon  a  wall  made  by  a  plumb-line,  with  a  plumb-line, 
in  his  hand.  And  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Amos,  what 
seest  thou?  And  I  said,  a  plumb-line.  Then  said 
the  Lord,  Behold,  I  will  set  a  plumb-line  in  the  midst 
of  my  people  Israel :  I  will  not  again  pass  by  them 
any  more."  Amos,  vii.  7,  8. 


The  working  tools  of  a  fellow  craft  are  here  explained 
-they  are  the  plumb,  square,  and  level. 


44  FELLOW   CRAFT. 


The  plumb  is  an  instrument  made  use  of  by  operative 
masons,  to  raise  perpendiculars ;  the  square,  to  square 
their  work;  and  the  level,  to  lay  horizontals.  But  we, 
as  free  and  accepted  Masons,  are  taught  to  make  use 
of  them  for  more  noble  and  glorious  purposes;  the  plumb 
admonishes  us  to  walk  uprightly  in  our  several  stations 
before  God  and  man ;  squaring  our  actions  by  the 
square  of  virtue,  and  remembering  that  we  are  travel 
ling  upon  the  level  of  time,  to  ''that  undiscovered  coun 
try,  from  whose  bourne  no  traveller  returns." 

Section  Second. 

The  second  section  of  this  degree  refers  to  the  ori 
gin  of  the  institution,  and  views  masonry  under  two 
denominations — operative  and  speculative. 

By  operative  masonry,  we  allude  to  a  proper  appli 
cation  of  the  useful  rules  of  architecture,  whence  a 
structure  will  derive  figure,  strength  and  beauty ;  and 
whence  will  result  a  due  proportion  and  a  just  corres 
pondence  in  all  its  parts.  It  furnishes  us  with  dwel- 
liners  and  convenient  shelters  from  the  vicissitudes  and 

O 

inclemencies  of  the  seasons;  and  while  it  displays  the 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  45 

effects  of  human  wisdom,  as  well  in  the  choice,  as  in 
the  arrangement,  of  the  sundry  materials  of  which  an 
edifice  is  composed,  it  demonstrates  that  a  fund  of 
science  and  industry  is  implanted  in  man  for  the  best, 
most  salutary,  and  beneficent  purposes. 

By  speculative  masonry,  we  learn  to  subdue  the 
passions,  act  upon  the  square,  keep  a  tongue  of  good 
report,  maintain  secrecy  and  practice  charity.  It  is  so 
far  interwoven  with  religion,  as  to  lay  us  under  obliga 
tions  to  pay  that  rational  homage  to  the  Deity,  which 
at  once  constitutes  our  duty  and  our  happiness.  It 
leads  the  contemplative  to  view  with  reverence  and 
admiration  the  glorious  works  of  creation,  and  inspires 
him  with  the  most  exalted  ideas  of  the  perfections  of 
his  divine  Creator. 


In  six  days  God  created  the  heavens  and  the  earth, 
and  rested  on  the  seventh  day ;  the  seventh,  therefore, 
our  ancient  brethren  consecrated  as  a  day  of  rest  from 
their  labors;  thereby  enjoying  frequent  opportunities 
to  contemplate  the  glorious  works  of  creation,  and  to 
adore  their  great  Creator. 

*  *  *  •  *  * 

Peace,  Unity,  and  Plenty  are  here  introduced  and 
explained. 

The  doctrine  of  the  spheres  is  included  in  the  science 
of  astronomy,  and  particularly  considered  in  this  section. 


46 


FELLOW   CRAFT. 


The  globes  are  two  artificial  spherical  bodies,  on  the 
convex  surface  of  which  are  represented  the  countries, 
seas,  and  various  parts  of  the  earth ;  the  face  of  the 
heavens,  the  planetary  revolutions,  and  other  particulars. 

The  sphere  with  the  parts  of  the  earth  delineated 
on  its  surface,  is  called  the  terrestrial  globe ;  and  that 
with  the  constellations  and  other  heavenly  bodies,  the 
celestial  globe. 


FELLOW   CRAFT. 


47 


Their  principal  use,  besides  serving  as  maps  to  dis 
tinguish  the  outward  parts  of  the  earth  and  the  situa 
tion  of  the  fixed  stars,  is  to  illustrate  and  explain  the 
phenomena  arising  from  the  annual  revolution,  and  the 
diurnal  rotations  of  the  earth  round  its  own  axis.  They 
are  the  noblest  instruments  for  improving  the  mind, 
and  giving  it  the  most  distinct  idea  of  any  problem  or 
proposition,  as  well  as  enabling  it  to  solve  the  same. 
Contemplating  these  bodies,  we  are  inspired  with  a  due 
reverence  for  the  Deity  and  his  works,  and  are  induced 
to  encourage  the  studies  of  astronomy,  geography, 
navigation,  and  the  arts  dependent  on  them,  by  which 
society  has  been  so  much  benefited. 


The  orders  of  architecture  come  under  consideration 
in  this  section ;  a  brief  description  of  them  may  there 
fore  not  be  improper. 


48  FELLOW   CRAFT. 

By  order  in  architecture,  is  meant  a  system  of  all  the 
members,  proportions  and  ornaments  of  columns,  and 
pilasters ;  or,  it  is  the  regular  arrangement  of  the  pro 
jecting  parts  of  a  building,  which,  united  with  those  of 
a  column,  form  a  beautiful,  perfect,  and  complete  whole. 

From  the  first  formation  of  society,  order  in  archi 
tecture  may  be  traced.  When  the  rigor  of  the  seasons 
obliged  men  to  contrive  shelter  from  the  inclemency  of 
the  weather,  we  learn  that  they  first  planted  trees  on 
end,  and  then  laid  others  across  to  support  a  covering. 
The  bands  which  connected  those  trees  at  top  and 
bottom,  are  said  to  have  given  rise  to  the  idea  of  the 
base  and  capital  of  pillars ;  and  from  this  simple  hint 
originally  proceeded  the  more  improved  art  of  archi 
tecture. 

The  five  orders  are  thus  classed — the  Tuscan,  Doric, 
Ionic,  Corinthian,  and  Composite. 

THE    TUSCAN 

Is  the  most  simple  and  solid  of  the  five 
orders.  It  was  invented  in  Tuscany,  whence 
it  derived  its  name.  Its  column  is  seven 
diameters  high;  and  its  capital,  base,  and 
entablature  have  but  few  mouldings.  The 
simplicity  of  the  construction  of  this  column 
renders  it  eligible,  where  ornament  would  be 
superfluous. 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  49 

THE    DORIC, 

Which  is  the  most  plain  and  natural,  is  the 
most  ancient,  and  was  invented  by  the  Greeks. 
Its  column  is  eight  diameters  high,  and  has 
seldom  any  ornaments  on  base  or  capital, 
except  mouldings ;  though  the  frieze  is  dis 
tinguished  by  tryglyphs  and  metopes,  and 
tryglyphs  compose  the  ornaments  of  the  frieze. 
The  solid  composition  of  this  order  gives  it  a 
preference  in  structures  where  strength  and  a 
noble  simplicity  are  chiefly  required. 

The  Doric  is  the  best  proportioned  of  all  the  orders. 
The  several  parts  of  which  it  is  composed  are  founded 
on  the  natural  position  of  solid  bodies.  In  its  first  in 
vention  it  was  more  simple  than  in  its  present  state.  In 
after-times,  when  it  began  to  be  adorned,  it  gained  the 
name  of  Doric;  for  when  it  was  constructed  in  its 
primitive  and  simple  form,  the  name  of  Tuscan  was 
conferred  on  it.  Hence  the  Tuscan  precedes  the  Doric 
in  rank,  on  account  of  its  resemblance  to  that  pillar  in 
its  original  state. 

THE    IONIC 

Bears  a  kind  of  mean  proportion  between 
the  more  solid  and  delicate  orders.  Its  col 
umn  is  nine  diameters  high ;  its  capital  is 
adorned  with  volutes,  and  its  cornice  has 
dentals.  There  is  both  delicacy  and  ingenu 
ity  displayed  in  this  pillar ;  the  invention 
of  which  is  attributed  to  the  lonians,  as  the 
famous  temple  of  Diana  at  Ephesus  was  of 


50  FELLOW   CRAFT. 

this  order.  It  is  said  to  have  been  formed  after  the 
model  of  an  agreeable  young  woman,  of  an  elegant 
shape,  dressed  in  her  hair,  as  a  contrast  to  the  Doric 
order,  which  was  formed  after  that  of  a  strong  robust 
man. 


THE    CORINTHIAN, 

The  richest  of  the  five  orders,  is  deemed 
a  master-piece  of  art.  Its  column  is  ten  di 
ameters  high,  and  its  capital  is  adorned  with 
two  rows  of  leaves,  and  eight  volutes,  which 
sustain  the  abacus.  The  frieze  is  ornamented 
with  various  devices,  the  cornice  with  dentals 
and  modillions.  This  order  is  used  in  stately 
and  useful  structures. 
It  was  invented  at  Corinth,  by  Callimachus,  who  is 
said  to  have  taken  the  hint  of  the  capital  of  this  pillar 
from  the  following  remarkable  circumstance :  Acciden 
tally  passing  by  the  tomb  of  a  young  lady,  he  perceived 
a  basket  of  toys  covered  with  a  tile,  placed  over  an 
acanthus  root,  having  been  left  there  by  her  nurse. 
As  the  branches  grew  up,  they  encompassed  the  bas  • 
ket,  till,  arriving  at  the  tile,  they  met  with  an  obstruc 
tion,  and  bent  downwards.  Callimachus  struck  with 
the  object,  set  about  imitating  the  figure ;  the  vase  of 
the  capital  he  made  to  represent  the  basket ;  the  abacus 
the  tile;  and  the  volutes  the  bending  leaves. 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  51 

THE    COMPOSITE 

Is  compounded  of  the  other  orders,  and  was 
contrived  by  the  Romans.  Its  capital  has  the 
two  rows  of  leaves  of  the  Corinthian,  and  the 
volutes  of  the  Ionic.  Its  column  has  the 
quarter-rounds,  as  the  Tuscan  and  Doric 
orders,  is  ten  diameters  high,  and  its  cornice 
has  dentals,  or  simple  modillions.  This  pillar 
is  found  in  buildings  where  strength,  elegance 
and  beauty  are  displayed. 
*  The  ancient  and  original  orders  of  architecture,  re 
vered  by  Masons,  are  no  more  than  three — the  DORIC, 
IONIC,  and  CORINTHIAN,  which  were  invented  by  the 
Greeks.  To  these  the  Romans  have  added  two — the 
Tuscan,  which  they  made  plainer  than  the  Doric;  and 
the  Composite,  which  was  more  ornamental,  if  not  more 
beautiful,  than  the  Corinthian.  The  first  three  orders 
alone,  however,  show  invention  and  particular  character, 
and  essentially  differ  from  each  other;  the  two  others 
have  nothing  but  what  is  borrowed,  and  differ  only 
accidentally.  The  Tuscan  is  the  Doric  in  its  earliest 
state;  and  the  Composite  is  the  Corinthian  enriched 
with  the  Ionic.  To  the  Greeks,  therefore,  and  not  to 
the  Romans,  we  are  indebted  for  what  is  great,  judi 
cious,  and  distinct  in  architecture. 

OF    THE   FIVE   SENSES    OF   HUMAN   NATURE. 

An  analysis  of  the  human  faculties  is  next  given  in 


52  FELLOW  CRAFT. 

this  section,  in  which  the  five  external  senses  particu 
larly  claim  attention ;  these  are — hearing,  seeing,  feel 
ing,  smelling  and  tasting. 

HEARING 

Is  that  sense  by  which  we  distinguish  sounds,  and  are 
capable  of  enjoying  all  the  agreeable  charms  of  music. 
By  it  we  are  enabled  to  enjoy  the  pleasures  of  society, 
and  reciprocally  to  communicate  to  each  other  our 
thoughts  and  intentions,  our  purposes  and  desires; 
while  thus  our  reason  is  capable  of  exerting  its  utmost 
power  and  energy. 

The  wise  and  beneficent  Author  of  Nature  intended, 
by  the  formation  of  this  sense,  that  we  should  be  social 
creatures,  and  receive  the  greatest  and  most  important 
part  of  our  knowledge  by  the  information  of  others. 
For  these  purposes  we  are  endowed  with  hearing,  that, 
by  a  proper  exertion  of  our  natural  powers,  our  happi 
ness  may  be  complete. 

SEEING 

Is  that  sense  by  which  we  distinguish  objects,  and  in 
an  instant  of  time,  without  change  of  place  or  situation, 
view  armies  in  battle  array,  figures  of  the  most  stately 
structures,  and  all  the  agreeable  variety  displayed  in 
the  landscape  of  nature.  By  this  we  find  our  way  in 
the  pathless  ocean,  traverse  the  globe  of  earth,  deter 
mine  its  figure  and  dimensions,  and  delineate  any  region 
or  quarter  of  it.  By  it  we  measure  the  planetary  orbs, 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  53 

and  make  new  discoveries  in  the  sphere  of  the  fixed 
stars.  Nay,  more — by  it  we  perceive  the  tempers  and 
dispositions,  the  passions  and  affections,  of  our  fellow 
creatures,  when  they  wish  most  to  conceal  them;  so 
that,  though  the  tongue  may  be  taught  to  lie  and  dis 
semble,  the  countenance  would  display  the  hypocrisy 
to  the  discerning  eye.  In  fine,  the  rays  of  light  which 
administer  to  this  sense,  are  the  most  astonishing  parts 
of  animated  creation,  and  render  the  eye  a  peculiar 
object  of  admiration. 

Of  all  the  faculties,  sight  is  the  noblest.  The  struc 
ture  of  the  eye  and  its  appurtenances,  evince  the  ad 
mirable  contrivance  of  nature  for  performing  all  its 
various  external  and  internal  motions ;  while  the  variety 
displayed  in  the  eyes  of  different  animals,  suited  to 
their  several  ways  of  life,  clearly  demonstrates  this 
organ  to  be  the  master-piece  of  nature's  work. 

FEELING 

Is  that  sense  by  which  we  distinguish  the  different 
qualities  of  bodies — such  as  heat  and  cold,  hardness 
and  softness,  roughness  and  smoothness,  figure,  soli 
dity,  motion,  and  extension. 

'*  These  three  senses — hearing,  seeing,  and  feeling — 
are  deemed  peculiarly  essential  among  Masons. 

SMELLING 

Is  that  sense  by  which  we  distinguish  odors,  the  va 
rious  kinds  of  which  convey  different  impressions  to 


54  FELLOW   CRAFT. 

the  mind.  Animal  and  vegetable  bodies,  and  indeed 
most  other  bodies,  while  exposed  to  the  air,  continually 
send  forth  effluvia  of  vast  subtlety,  as  well  in  a  state 
of  life  and  growth,  as  in  a  state  of  fermentation  and 
putrefaction.  These  effluvia,  being  drawn  into  the 
nostrils  along  with  the  air,  are  the  means  by  which  all 
bodies  are  smelled.  Henoe  it  is  evident  that  there  is 
a  manifest  appearance  of  design  in  the  great  Creator's 
having  planted  the  organ  of  smell  in  the  inside  of  that 
canal,  through  which  the  air  continually  passes  in 
respiration. 

TASTING 

Enables  us  to  make  a  proper  distinction  in  the  choice 
of  our  food.  The  organ  of  this  sense  guards  the  en 
trance  of  the  alimentary  canal,  as  that  of  smelling 
guards  the  entrance  of  the  canal  for  respiration.  From 
the  situation  of  both  these  organs,  it  is  plain  that  they 
were  intended  by  nature  to  distinguish  wholesome  food 
from  that  which  is  nauseous.  Every  thing  that  enters 
into  the  stomach  must  undergo  the  scrutiny  of  tasting ; 
and  by  it  we  are  capable  of  discerning  the  changes 
which  the  same  body  undergoes  in  the  different  com 
positions  of  art,  cookery,  chemistry,  pharmacy,  &c. 

Smelling  and  tasting  are  inseparably  connected,  and 
it  is  by  the  unnatural  kind  of  life  men  commonly  lead 
in  society,  that  these  senses  are  rendered  less  fit  to 
perform  their  natural  offices. 

On  the  mind  all  our  knowledge  must  depend ;  what, 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  55 

therefore,  can  be  a  more  proper  subject  for  the  inves 
tigation  of  Masons?  By  anatomical  dissection  and 
observation,  we  become  acquainted  with  the  body ;  but 
it  is  by  the  anatomy  of  the  mind  alone  we  discover  its 
powers  and  principles. 

To  sum  up  the  whole  of  this  transcendent  measure 
of  God's  bounty  to  man,  we  shall  add,  that  memory 
imagination,  taste,  reasoning,  moral  perception,  and  all 
the  active  powers  of  the  soul,  present  a  vast  and 
boundless  field  for  philosophical  disquisition,  which  far 
exceeds  human  inquiry,  and  are  peculiar  mysteries, 
known  only  to  nature  and  nature's  God,  to  whom  we 
are  all  indebted  for  creation,  preservation,  and  every 
blessing  we  enjoy. 

OF    THE   SEVEN   LIBERAL   ARTS    AND    SCIENCES. 

The  seven  liberal  arts  and  sciences  are  illustrated 
in  this  section,  which  are — Grammar,  Rhetoric,  Logic, 
Arithmetic,  Geometry,  Music,  and  Astronomy. 

GRAMMAR. 

Grammar  teaches  the  proper  arrangement  of  words, 
according  to  the  idiom  or  dialect  of  any  particular  people; 
and  that  excellency  of  pronunciation,  which  enables  us 
to  speak  or  write  a  language  with  accuracy,  agreeably 
to  reason  and  correct  usage. 

RHETORIC. 

Rhetoric  teaches  us  to  speak  copiously  and  fluently 
on  any  subject,  not  merely  with  propriety  alone,  but 


56  FELLOW   CRAFT. 

with  all  the  advantage  of  force  and  elegance ;  wisely 
contriving  to  captivate  the  hearer  by  strength  of  argu 
ment  and  beauty  of  expression,  whether  it  be  to  entreat 
and  exhort,  to  admonish  or  approve. 

LOGIC. 

Logic  teaches  us  to  guide  our  reason  discretionally 
in  the  general  knowledge  of  things,  and  directs  our  in 
quiries  after  truth.  It  consists  of  a  regular  train  of 
argument,  wrhence  we  infer,  deduce,  and  conclude, 
according  to  certain  premises  laid  down,  admitted,  or 
granted  ;  and  in  it  are  employed  the  faculties  of  con 
ceiving,  judging,  reasoning,  and  disposing ;  all  of  which 
are  naturally  led  on  from  one  gradation  to  anothei, 
till  the  point  in  question  is  finally  determined. 

ARITHMETIC. 

Arithmetic  teaches  the  powers  and  properties  of 
numbers,  which  is  variously  effected — by  letters,  tables, 
figures  and  instruments.  By  this  art,  reasons  and 
demonstrations  are  given  for  finding  out  any  certain 
numbers,  whose  relation  or  affinity  to  another  is  already 
known  or  discovered. 

GEOMETRY. 

Geometry  treats  of  the  powers  and  properties  of 
magnitudes  in  general,  wThere  length,  breadth  and 
thickness  are  considered,  from  a  point  to  a  line,  from  a 
line  to  a  super/ices,  and  from  a  superfices  to  a  solid. 


FELLOW  CRAFT.  57 

A  point  is  a  dimensionless  figure ;  or  an  indivisible 
part  of  space. 

A  line  is  a  point  continued,  and  a  figure  of  one  ca 
pacity,  namely,  length. 

A  superfices  is  a  figure  of  two  dimensions,  namely, 
length  and  breadth. 

A  solid  is  a  figure  of  three  dimensions,  namely, 
length,  breadth  and  thickness. 

By  this  science  the  architect  is  enabled  to  conduct 
his  plans,  and  execute  his  designs — the  general  to  ar 
range  his  soldiers — the  engineer  to  mark  out  ground 
for  encampments — the  geographer  to  give  us  the  di 
mensions  of  the  world,  and  all  things  therein  contained; 
to  delineate  the  extent  of  seas,  and  specify  the  divisions 
of  empires,  kingdoms  and  provinces — by  it,  also,  the 
astronomer  is  enabled  to  make  his  observations,  and  to 
fix  the  duration  of  seasons,  years  and  cycles.  In  fine, 
geometry  is  the  foundation  of  architecture  and  the  root 
of  the  mathematics. 

MUSIC. 

Music  teaches  the  art  of  forming  concords,  so  as  to 
compose  delightful  harmony,  by  a  mathematical  and 
proportional  arrangement  of  acute,  grave  and  mixed 
sounds.  This  art,  by  a  series  of  experiments,  is  re 
duced  to  a  demonstration,  with  respect  to  tones  and  the 
intervals  of  sounds ;  inquires  into  the  nature  of  concords 
and  discords,  and  enables  us  to  find  out  the  proportion 
between  them  by  numbers. 


58  FELLOW  CRAFT. 

ASTRONOMY. 

Astronomy  is  that  divine  art  by  which  we  are  taught 
to  read  the  wisdom,  strength,  and  beauty  of  the  Al 
mighty  Creator,  in,  those  sacred  pages,  the  celestial 
hemisphere.  Assisted  by  astronomy,  we  can  observe 
the  motions,  measure  the  distances,  comprehend  the 
magnitudes,  and  calculate  the  periods  and  eclipses  of 
the  heavenly  bodies.  By  it  we  learn  the  use  of  the 
globes,  the  system  of  the  world,  and  the  preliminary 
law  of  nature.  While  we  are  employed  in  the  study 
of  this  science,  we  must  perceive  unparalleled  instances 
of  wisdom  and  goodness,  and,  through  the  whole  crea 
tion,  trace  the  glorious  Author  by  his  works. 


Here  an  emblem  of  plenty  is  introduced  and  ex 
plained. 

CORN.  WINE.  OIL. 


FELLOW  CRAFT.  59 

OF  THE  MORAL  ADVANTAGES  OF  GEOMETRY. 


Geometry,  the  first  and  noblest  of  sciences,  is  the 
basis  upon  which  the  superstructure  of  masonry  is 
erected.  By  geometry  we  may  curiously  trace  nature, 
through  her  various  windings,  to  her  most  concealed 
recesses.  By  it  we  discover  the  power,  the  wisdom, 
and  the  goodness  of  the  Grand  Artificer  of  the  Universe, 
and  view  with  delight  the  proportions  which  connect 
this  vast  machine.  By  it  we  discover  how  the  planets 
move  in  their  different  orbits,  and  demonstrate  their 
various  revolutions.  By  it  we  account  for  the  return 
of  the  seasons,  and  the  variety  of  scenes  which  each 
season  displays  to  the  discerning  eye.  Numerous 
worlds  are  around  us,  all  formed  by  the  same  Divine 
Artist,  and  which  roll  through  the  vast  expanse,  and 
are  all  conducted  by  the  same  unerring  law  of  nature. 

A  survey  of  nature,  and  the  observation  of  her 


60  FELLOW   CRAFT. 

beautiful  proportions,  first  determined  man  to  imitate 
the  divine  plan,  and  study  symmetry  and  order.  This 
gave  rise  to  societies,  and  birth  to  every  useful  art. 
The  architect  began  to  design,  and  the  plans  which  he 
laid  down,  being  improved  by  experience  and  time, 
have  produced  works  which  are  the  admiration  of 
every  age. 

The  lapse  of  time,  the  ruthless  hand  of  ignorance, 
and  the  devastations  of  war,  have  laid  waste  and  de 
stroyed  many  valuable  monuments  of  antiquity,  on 
which  the  utmost  exertions  of  human  genius  have  been 
employed.  Even  the  Temple  of  Solomon,  so  spacious 
and  magnificent,  and  constructed  by  so  many  celebrated 
artists,  escaped  not  the  unsparing  ravages  of  barbarous 
force.  Freemasonry,  notwithstanding,  has  still  sur 
vived.  The  attentive  ear  receives  the  sound  from  the 
instructive  tongue,  and  the  mysteries  of  masonry  are 
safely  lodged  in  the  repository  of  faithful  breasts. 
Tools  and  implements  of  architecture  are  selected  by 
the  fraternity,  to  imprint  on  the  memory  wise  and  se 
rious  truths ;  and  thus,  through  a  succession  of  ages, 
are  transmitted  unimpaired  the  excellent  tenets  of  our 
institution.  *  *  *  *  *  * 

CHARGE. 

BROTHER — Being  passed  to  the  second  degree  of 
masonry,  we  congratulate  you  on  your  preferment. 
The  internal,  and  not  the  external  qualifications  of  a 
man,  are  what  masonry  regards.  As  you  increase  in 
knowledge  you  will  improve  in  social  intercourse. 


FELLOW   CRAFT.  61 

ft  is  unnecessary  to  recapitulate  the  duties  which, 
as  a  Mason,  you  are  bound  to  discharge,  or  to  enlarge 
on  the  necessity  of  a  strict  adherence  to  them,  as  your 
own  experience  must  have  established  their  value. 

Our  laws  and  regulations  you  are  strenuously  to 
support,  and  be  always  ready  to  assist  in  seeing  them 
duly  executed.  You  are  not  to  palliate,  or  aggravate, 
the  offences  of  your  brethren ;  but  in  the  decision  of 
every  trespass  against  our  rules,  you  are  to  judge  with 
candor,  admonish  with  friendship,  and  reprehend  with 
justice. 

*  The  study  of  the  liberal  arts,  that  valuable  branch 
of  education,  which  tends  so  effectually  to  polish  and 
adorn  the  mind,  is  earnestly  recommended  to  your  con 
sideration — especially  the  science  of  geometry,  which 
is  established  as  the  basis  of  our  art.  Geometry,  or 
masonry,  originally  synonymous  terms,  being  of  a 
divine  and  moral  nature,  is  enriched  with  the  most 
useful  knowledge ;  while  it  proves  the  wonderful  pro 
perties  of  nature,  it  demonstrates  the  more  important 
truths  of  morality. 

Your  past  behaviour  and  regular  deportment  have 
merited  the  honor  which  we  have  now  conferred ;  and 
in  your  new  character  it  is  expected  that  you  will  con 
form  to  the  principles  of  the  Order,  by  steadily  per 
severing  in  the  practice  of  every  commendable  virtue. 

Such  is  the  nature  of  your  engagements  as  a  fellow- 
craft;  and  to  these  duties  you  are  bound  by  the  most 
sacred  ties, 


62  MASTER  MASON. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

MASTER    MASON'S    DEGREE. 

GENERAL   REMARKS. 

FROM  this  class  the  rulers  of  regular  bodies  of  Ma 
sons,  in  the  first  three  degrees,  are  selected ;  as  it  is 
only  from  those  who  are  capable  of  giving  instruction, 
that  we  can  expect  to  receive  it. 

The  ceremonies  attending  this  stage  of  our  profession 
are  solemn ;  during  which  a  sacred  awe  is  diffused  over 
the  mind. 

The  following  passage  of  Scripture  is  introduced 
during  the  ceremonies : 

"Remember  now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy 
youth,  while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years 
draw  nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure  in 
them ;  while  the  sun,  or  the  light,  or  the  moon,  or  the 
stars  be  not  darkened,  nor  the  clouds  return  after  the 
rain :  In  the  day  when  the  keepers  of  the  house  shall 
tremble,  and  the  strong  men  shall  bow  themselves,  and 
the  grinders  cease  because  they  are  few,  and  those  that 
look  out  of  the  windows  be  darkened,  and  the  doors 
shall  be  shut  in  the  streets,  when  the  sound  of  the 
grinding  is  low,  and  he  shall  rise  up  at  the  voice  of  the 
bird,  and  all  the  daughters  of  music  shall  be  brought 
low ;  also  when  they  shall  be  afraid  of  that  which  is 
high,  and  fears  shall  be  in  the  way,  and  the  almond 
tree  shall  flourish,  and  the  grasshopper  shall  be  a  bur 
den,  and  desire  shall  fail ;  because  man  goeth  to  his 
long  home,  and  the  mourners  go  about  the  streets :  Or 
ever  the  silver  cord  be  loosed,  or  the  golden  bowl  be 
broken,  or  the  pitcher  be  broken  at  the  fountain,  or  the 


MASTER  MASON.  63 

wheel  broken  at  the  cistern.  Then  shall  the  dust  re 
turn  to  the  earth  as  it  was ;  and  the  spirit  shall  return 
unto  God  who  gave  it."  Ecdesiastes,  xii.  1-7. 


The  working  tools,  of  a  Master  Mason  are  all  the  im 
plements  of  masonry  appertaining  to  the  first  three 
degrees  indiscriminately,  but  more  especially  the  trowel. 
The  TROWEL  is  an  instrument 
made  use  of  by  operative  masons 
to  spread  the  cement  which  unites 
a  building  into  one  common  mass ;  but  we,  as  free  and 
accepted  Masons,  are  taught  to  make  use  of  it  for  the 
more  noble  and  glorious  purpose  of  spreading  the 
cement  of  brotherly  love  and  affection;  that  cement 


64 


MASTER  MASON. 


which  unites  us  into  one  sacred  band,  or  society  of 
friends  and  brothers,  among  whom  no  contention  should 
ever  exist,  but  that  noble  contention,  or  rather  emula 
tion,  of  who  can  best  work  and  best  agree. 

Section  /Second. 

This  section  recites  the  historical  traditions  of  the 
order,  and  presents  to  view  a  finished  picture  of  the 
utmost  consequence  to  the  fraternity.  It  exemplifies 
an  instance  of  virtue,  fortitude,  and  integrity,  seldom 
equalled,  and  never  excelled,  in  the  history  of  man. 
******* 


FUNERAL     DIRGE. 


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Mortals,  now  indulge  a  tear, 
For  mortality  is  near  ! 
See  how  wide  her  trophies  wave 
O'er  the  slumbers  of  the  grave ! 

Here  another  guest  we  bring, 

Seraphs  of  celestial  wing, 

To  our  funeral  altar  come, 

Waft  this  Friend  and  Brother  home. 


Lord  of  all !  below — above — 
Fill  our  hearts  with  Truth  and  Love ; 
When  dissolves  our  earthly  tie, 
Take  us  to  thy  Lodge  on  high. 


66  MASTER   MASON. 

PRAYER. 

Thou,  0  God!  knowest  our  down-sitting  and  our 
up -rising,  and  understandest  our  thoughts  afar  oft'. 
Shield  and  defend  us  from  the  evil  intentions  of  our 
enemies,  and  support  us  under  the  trials  and  afflictions 
we  are  destined  to  endure,  while  travelling  through  this 
vale  of  tears.  Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman,  is  of  few 
days  and  full  of  trouble.  He  cometh  forth  as  a  flower, 
and  is  cut  down ;  he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and  con- 
tinueth  not.  Seeing  his  days  are  determined,  the 
number  of  his  months  are  with  thee;  thou  hast  appointed 
his  bounds  that  he  cannot  pass ;  turn  from  him  that 
he  may  rest,  till  he  shall  accomplish  his  day.  For 
there  is  hope  of  a  tree,  if  it  be  cut  down,  that  it  will 
sprout  again,  and  that  the  tender  branch  thereof  will 
not  cease.  But  man  dieth  and  wasteth  away  ;  yea, 
man  giveth  up  the  ghost,  and  where  is  he?  As  the 
waters  fail  from  the  sea,  and  the  flood  decayeth  and 
drieth  up,  so  man  lieth  down,  and  riseth  not  up  till  the 
heavens  shall  be  no  more.  Yet,  0  Lord !  have  com 
passion  on  the  children  of  thy  creation,  administer  them 
comfort  in  time  of  trouble,  and  save  them  with  an 
everlasting  salvation.  Amen. 

Response — So  mote  it  be. 


MASTER   MASON. 


67 


68  MASTER   MASON. 

Section  Third. 

In  this  branch  of  the  lecture,  many  particulars  rela 
tive  to  King  Solomon's  Temple  are  considered. 

The  construction  of  this  grand  edifice  was  attended 
with  two  remarkable  circumstances.  From  Josephus 
we  learn,  that  although  seven  years  were  occupied  in 
building  it,  yet  during  the  whole  term  it  rained  not  in 
the  day  time,  that  the  workmen  might  not  be  obstructed 
in  their  labor ;  and  from  sacred  history  it  appears  that 
there  was  neither  the  sound  of  the  hammer,  nor  axe, 
nor  any  tool  of  iron,  heard  in  the  house  while  it  was 
building. 

This  famous  fabric  was  supported  by  fourteen  hun 
dred  and  fifty -three  columns,  and  two  thousand  nine 
hundred  and  six  pilasters — all  hewn  from  the  finest 
Parian  marble.  There  were  employed  in  its  building 
three  Grand  Masters ;  three  thousand  and  three  hun 
dred  Masters,  or  overseers  of  the  work;  eighty  thousand 
Fellow  Crafts,  or  hewers  on  the  mountains  and  in  the 
quarries ;  and  seventy  thousand  Entered  Apprentices, 
or  bearers  of  burdens.  All  these  were  classed  and 
arranged  in  such  a  manner,  by  the  wisdom  of  Solomon, 
that  neither  envy,  discord,  nor  confusion  were  suffered 
to  interrupt  that  universal  peace  and  tranquility,  which 
pervaded  the  world  at  that  important  period. 


MASTER    MASON. 


69 


This  section  also  illustrates  certain  hieroglyphical 
emblems,  and  inculcates  many  useful  lessons,  to  ex 
tend  knowledge  and  promote  virtue. 

THE    THREE    STEPS 

Usually  delineated  upon  the  Mas 
ter's  carpet,  are  emblematical  of 
the  three  principal  stages  of  hu 
man  life,  viz. — youth,  manhood,  and  age.  In  youth, 
as  entered  apprentices,  we  ought  industriously  to  occupy 
our  minds  in  the  attainment  of  useful  knowledge;  in 


70 


MASTER   MASON. 


manhood,  a,s  fellow  crafts,  we  should  apply  our  know 
ledge  to  the  discharge  of  our  respective  duties  to  God, 
our  neighbors,  and  ourselves ;  so  that  in  age,  as  master 
masons,  we  may  enjoy  the  happy  reflections  consequent 
on  a  well-spent  life,  and  die  in  the  hope  of  a  glorious 
immortality. 

THE   POT   OF   INCENSE 

Is  an  emblem  of  a  pure  heart,  which 
is  always  an  acceptable  sacrifice  to  the 
Deity;  and  as  this  glows  with  fervent 
heat,  so  should  our  hearts  continually 
glow  with  gratitude  to  the  great  and 
beneficent  Author  of  our  existence, 
for  the  manifold  blessings  and  com 
forts  we  enjoy. 

THE   BEE    HIVE 

Is  an  emblem  of  industry,  and 
recommends  the  practice  of  that 
virtue  to  all  created  beings,  from 
the  highest  seraph  in  heaven,  to 
the  lowest  reptile  of  the  dust.  It 
teaches  us,  that  as  we  come  into 

thTworld  rational  and  intelligent  beings,  so  we  should 
-  ever  be  industrious  ones ;  never  sitting  down  contented 

while  our  fellow  creatures  around  us  are  in  want,  when 

it  is  in  our  power  to  relieve  them  without  inconvenience 

to  ourselves. 


MASTER  MASON.  71 

When  we  take  a  survey  of  nature,  we  view  man  in 
his  infancy,  more  helpless  and  indigent  than  the  brute 
creation;  he  lies  languishing  for  days,  months,  and 
years  totally  incapable  of  providing  sustenance  for 
himself,  of  guarding  against  the  attack  of  the  wild 
beasts  of  the  forest,  or  sheltering  himself  from  the  in 
clemencies  of  the  weather. 

It  might  have  pleased  the  great  Creator  of  heaven 
and  earth  to  have  made  man  independent  of  all  other 
beings;  but,  as  dependence  is  one  of  the  strongest 
bonds  of  society,  mankind  were  made  dependent  on 
each  other  for  protection  and  security,  as  they  thereby 
enjoy  better  opportunities  of  fulfilling  the  duties  of  re 
ciprocal  love  and  friendship.  Thus  was  man  formed 
for  social  and  active  life,  the  noblest  part  of  the  work 
of  God ;  and  he  that  will  so  demean  himself  as  not  to 
be  endeavoring  to  add  to  the  common  stock  of  know 
ledge  and  understanding,  may  be  deemed  a  drone  in 
the  hive  of  nature,  a  useless  member  of  society,  and 
unworthy  of  our  protection  as  Masons. 

THE  BOOK  OF   CONSTITUTIONS,  GUARDED   BY  THE  TYLER'S 
SWORD, 

Reminds  us  that  we  should  be 
ever  watchful  and  guarded  in  our 
thoughts,  words  and  actions,  par 
ticularly  when  before  the  enemies 
of  masonry;  ever  bearing  in  re 
membrance  those  truly  masonic  virtues,  silence  and 
circurnspection. 


MASTER   MASON. 


THE    SWORD    POINTING    TO    A    NAKED    HEART, 

Demonstrates    that   justice    wil 
sooner  or  later  overtake  us ;  am 
although  our  thoughts,  words  ant 
actions  may  be  hidden  from  the  eyes  of  man,  yet  that 

ALL-SEEING   EYE  ! 


Whom  the  Sun,  Moon, 
and  Stars  obey,  and  un 
der  whose  watchful  care 
even  comets  perform  their 
stupendous  revolutions, 
beholds  the  inmost  re 
cesses  of  the  human 
heart,  and  will  reward  us 
according  to  our  works. 


THE   ANCHOR    AND    ARK 

Are  emblems  of  a  well- 
grounded  kqpet  and  a 
well-spent  life.  They  are 
emblematical  of  that  di 
vine  ark  which  safely  bears 
us  over  this  tempestuous  sea  of  troubles,  and  that  an 
chor  which  shall  safely  moor  us  in  a  peaceful  harbor, 
where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary 
shall  find  rest. 


MASTER  MASON.  73 

THE  FORTY-SEVENTH  PROBLEM  OF  EUCLID.* 

This  was  an  invention  of  our  ancient 
friend  and  brother,  the  great  Pythagoras, 
who,  in  his  travels  through  Asia,  Africa, 
and  Europe,  was  initiated  into  several 
orders  of  priesthood,  and  raised  to  the  sublime  degree 
of  a  Master  Mason.  This  wise  philosopher  enriched  his 
mind  abundantly  in  a  general  knowledge  of  things, 
and  more  especially  in  geometry  or  masonry.  On  this 
subject  he  drew  out  many  problems  and  theorems,  and 
amongst  the  most  distinguished,  he  erected  this,  which 
in  the  joy  of  his  heart  he  called  Eureka,  in  the  Grecian 
language,  signifying  /  have  found  it;  and  upon  the 
discovery  of  which,  he  is  said  to  have  sacrificed  a  hec 
atomb.  It  teaches  Masons  to  be  general  lovers  of  the 
arts  and  sciences. 

THE   HOUR-GLASS 

Is  an  emblem  of  human  life.  Behold!  how 
swiftly  the  sands  run,  and  how  rapidly  our 
lives  are  drawing  to  a  close.  We  cannot 
without  astonishment  behold  the  little  parti 
cles  which  are  contained  in  this  machine,  how  they  pass 
away  almost  imperceptibly,  and  yet,  to  our  surprise, 
in  the  short  space  of  an  hour  they  are  all  exhausted. 

*THEOREM— In  any  right-angled  triangle,  the  square  which 
is  described  upon  the  side  subtending  the  right  angle,  is 
<aqual  to  the  squares  described  upon  the  sides  which  contain 
the  right  angle. 


74  MASTER  MASON. 

Thus  wastes  man!  To-day  he  puts  forth  the  tender 
leaves  of  hope;  to-morrow,  blossoms,  and  bears  his 
blushing  honors  thick  upon  him ;  the  next  day  comes 
a  frost,  which  nips  the  shoot,  and  when  he  thinks  his 
greatness  still  aspiring,  he  falls,  like  autumn  leaves,  to 
enrich  our  mother  earth. 

THE   SCYTHE 

Is  an  emblem  of  time,  which  cuts  the 
brittle  thread  of  life,  and  launches  us 
into  eternity.  Behold!  what  havoc  the 
scythe  of  time  makes  among  the  human 
race;  if  by  chance  we  should  escape 
the  numerous  evils  incident  to  childhood  and  youth, 
and  with  health  and  vigor  arrive  at  the  years  of  man 
hood,  yet  withal  we  must  soon  be  cut  down  by  the 
all-devouring  scythe  of  time,  and  be  gathered  into  the 
land  where  our  fathers  have  gone  before  us. 


MASTER   MASON.  75 


Then  let  us  imitate  the  Christian  in  his  virtuous  and 
amiable  conduct.  In  his  unfeigned  piety  to  God.  In 
his  inflexible  fidelity  to  his  trust :  that  we  may  welcome 
the  grim  tyrant  Death,  and  receive  him  as  a  kind  mes 
senger  sent  to  translate  us  from  this  imperfect,  to  that 
all  perfect,  glorious,  and  celestial  Lodge  above,  where 
the  Supreme  Architect  of  the  universe  presides. 

CHARGE. 

BROTHER — Your  zeal  for  the  institution  of  masonry, 
the  progress  you  have  made  in  the  mystery,  and  your 
conformity  to  our  regulations,  have  pointed  you  out  as 
a  proper  object  for  our  favor  and  esteem. 

You  are  now  bound  by  duty,  honor  and  gratitude, 
to  be  faithful  to  your  trust ;  to  support  the  dignity  of 
your  character  on  every  occasion ;  and  to  enforce,  by 
precept  and  example,  obedience  to  the  tenets  of  the 
order. 

In  the  character  of  a  Master  Mason,  you  are  au 
thorized  to  correct  the  errors  and  irregularities  of  your 
uninformed  brethren,  and  to  guard  them  against  a 
breach  of  fidelity.  To  preserve  the  reputation  of  the 
fraternity  unsullied,  must  be  your  constant  care ;  and 
for  this  purpose  it  is  your  province  to  recommend  to 
your  inferiors,  obedience  and  submission;  to  your 
equals,  courtesy  and  affability;  to  your  superiors,  kind 
ness  and  condescension.  Universal  benevolence  you 


76  MASTER   MASON. 

are  always  to  cultivate ;  and  by  the  regularity  of  your 
own  behaviour,  afford  the  best  example  for  the  conduct 
of  others  less  informed.  The  ancient  landmarks  of  the 
order,  entrusted  to  your  care,  you  are  carefully  to  pre 
serve  ;  and  never  suffer  them  to  be  infringed,  or  coun 
tenance  a  deviation  from  the  established  usages  and 
customs  of  the  fraternity. 

Your  virtue,  honor,  and  reputation  are  concerned  in 
supporting  with  dignity  the  character  you  now  bear. 
Let  no  motive,  therefore,  make  you  swerve  from  your 
duty,  violate  your  vows,  or  betray  your  trust ;  but  be 
true  and  faithful,  and  imitate  the  example  of  that  cele 
brated  artist  whom  you  this  evening  represent.  Thus 
you  will  render  yourself  deserving  of  the  honor  which 
we  have  conferred,  and  merit  the  confidence  we  have 
reposed. 


PART  SECOND. 


CHAPTER  L 

MARK    MASTER'S    DEGREE. 

THIS  degree  of  masonry  was  not  less  useful  in  its 
original  institution,  nor  are  its  effects  less  beneficial  to 
mankind,  than  those  which  precede  it. 

By  the  influence  of  this  degree,  each  operative  mason 
at  the  erection  of  King  Solomon's  temple,  was  known 
and  distinguished  by  the  Senior  Grand  Warden.  If 
defects  were  found,  the  overseers  were  enabled,  without 
difficulty,  to  ascertain  who  was  the  faulty  workman :  so 
that  deficiencies  might  be  remedied,  without  injuring 
the  credit  or  diminishing  the  reward  of  the  industrious 
and  faithful  of  the  craft. 

CHARGE  TO  BE  READ  AT  OPENING. 

"Wherefore,  brethern,  lay  aside  all  malice,  and  guile, 
and  hypocricies,  and  envies,  and  all  evil  speakings.  If 
so  be  ye  have  tasted  that  the  Lord  is  gracious ;  to  whom 


78  MARK   MASTER. 

coming,  as  unto  a  living  stone,  disallowed  indeed  of 
men,  but  chosen  of  God,  and  precious;  ye,  also,  as 
living  stones,  be  ye  built  up  a  spiritual  house,  an  holy 
priesthood,  to  offer  up  sacrifices  acceptable  to  God. 

Wherefore,  also,  it  is  contained  in  the  Scriptures, 
Behold,  I  lay  in  Zion,  for  a  foundation,  a  tried  stone, 
a  precious  corner  stone,  a  sure  foundation ;  he  that  be- 
lieveth,  shall  not  make  haste  to  pass  it  over.  Unto 
you,  therefore,  which  believe,  it  is  an  honor ;  and  even 
to  them  which  be  disobedient,  the  stone  which  the 
builders  disallowed,  the  same  is  made  the  head  of  the 
corner. 

Brethren,  this  is  the  will  of  God,  that  with  well-doing 
ye  put  to  silence  the  ignorance  of  foolish  men.  As  free, 
and  not  using  your  liberty  for  a  cloak  of  maliciousness, 
but  as  the  servants  of  God.  Honor  all  men,  love  the 
brotherhood;  fear  God." 

Section  First. 

The  first  section  contains  the  manner  of  opening  a 
Mark  Master's  Lodge.  It  teaches  the  stations  and 
duties  of  the  respective  officers,  and  recapitulates  the 
mystic  ceremonies  of  introducing  a  candidate. 

In  this  section  is  exemplified  the  regularity  and  good 
order  that  was  observed  by  the  craftsmen  on  Mount 
Libanus.  and  in  the  plains  and  quarries  of  Zeredatha, 
and  it  ends  with  a  beautiful  display  of  the  manner  in 
which  one  of  the  principal  events  originated,  which 
characterizes  this  degree. 


MARK   MASTER. 


79 


Section  Second. 

In  the  second  section  the  Mark  Master  is  particularly 
instructed  in  the  origin  and  history  of  this  degree,  and 
the  indispensable  obligations  he  is  under  to  stretch  forth 
his  assisting  hand  to  the  relief  of  an  indigent  and  wor 
thy  brother,  to  a  certain  and  specified  extent. 

In  the  course  of  the  lecture,  the  following  texts  of 
Scripture  are  introduced  and  explained: 

"  Then  he  brought  me  back  the  way  of  the  gate  of 
the  outward  sanctuary  which  looketh  toward  the  east; 
and  it  was  shut.  Then  said  the  Lord  unto  me :  This 


80  MARK   MASTER. 

gate  shall  be  shut,  it  shall  not  be  opened,  and  no  man 
shall  enter  in  by  it;  because  the  Lord  the  God  of  Israel, 
hath  entered  in  by  it ;  therefore  it  shall  be  shut.  It  is 
for  the  prince ;  the  prince  he  shall  sit  in  it  to  eat  bread 
before  the  Lord ;  he  shall  enter  by  the  way  of  the  porch 
of  that  gate,  and  shall  go  out  by  the  way  of  the  same. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  me,  Son  of  man,  mark  well, 
and  behold  with  thine  eyes,  and  hear  with  thine  ears 
all  that  I  say  unto  thee  concerning  all  the  ordinances  of 
the  house  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  laws  thereof ;  and 
mark  well  the  entering  in  of  the  house,  with  every  go 
ing  forth  of  the  Sanctuary."  Ezekiel,  xliv.  1-3-5. 

The  stone  which  the  builders  refused  is  become  the 
head  stone  of  the  corner.  Psalms,  cxviii.  22. 

Did  ye  never  read  in  the  Scriptures,  the  stone  which 
the  builders  rejected,  the  same  is  become  the  head  of 
the  corner?  Matt,  xxi.  42. 

And  have  ye  not  read  in  the  Scripture ;  the  stone 
which  the  builders  rejected,  is  become  the  head  of  the 
corner?  Marie,  vii.  10. 

This  is  the  stone  which  was  set  at  naught  of  you 
builders,  which  is  become  the  head  of  the  corner. 

Acts,  iv.  11. 

To  him  that  overcometh  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the 
hidden  manna,  and  will  give  him  a  white  stone,  and  in 
the  stone  a  new  name  written,  which  no  man  knoweth 
saving  him  that  receiveth  it.  Rev.  ii.  17." 

The  wwking  tools  of  a  Mark  Master  are  the  chisel 
and  mallet. 


MARK  MASTER.  81 

The  chisel  morally  demonstrates  the  ad 
vantages  of  discipline  and  education.  The 
mind,  like  the  diamond  in  its  original  state,  is 
rude  and  unpolished ;  but  as  the  effect  of  the 
chisel  on  the  external  coat  soon  presents  to 
view  the  latent  beauties  of  the  diamond,  so  education 
discovers  the  latent  virtues  of  the  mind,  and  draws 
them  forth  to  range  the  large  field  of  matter  and  space, 
to  display  the  summit  of  human  knowledge,  our  duty 
to  God  and  to  man. 

The  mallet  morally  teaches  to  correct  irre 
gularities,  and  to  reduce  man  to  a  proper 
level ;  so  that  by  quiet  deportment  he  may, 
in  the  school  of  discipline,  learn  to  be  content.  What 
the  mallet  is  to  the  workman,  enlightened  reason  is  to 
the  passions;  it  curbs  ambition,  it  represses  envy,  it 
moderates  anger,  and  it  encourages  good  dispositions ; 
whence  arises,  among  good  Masons,  that  comely  order, 

"Which  nothing  earthly  gives,  or  can  destrov — 
The  soul's  calm  sunshine  and  the  heartfelt  joy." 

CHARGE. 

BROTHER — I  congratulate  you  on  being  thought 
worthy  of  being  promoted  to  this  honorable  degree  of 
masonry.  Permit  me  to  impress  it  on  your  mind,  that 
your  assiduity  should  ever  be  commensurate  with  your 
duties,  which  become  more  and  more  extensive  as  you 
advance  in  masonry. 

The  situation  to  which  you  are  now  promoted  will 
6 


62  MARK   MASTER. 

draw  upon  you  not  only  the  scrutinizing  eyes  of  the 
world  at  large,  but  those  also  of  your  brethren,  on 
whom  this  degree  of  masonry  has  not  been  conferred : 
all  will  be  justified  in  expecting  your  conduct  and  be 
haviour  to  be  such  as  may  with  safety  be  imitated. 

In  the  honorable  character  of  Mark  Master  Mason, 
it  is  more  particularly  your  duty  to  endeavor  to  let 
your  conduct  in  the  world,  as  well  as  in  the  Lodge  and 
among  your  brethren,  be  such  as  may  stand  the  test 
of  the  Grand  Overseer's  square ;  that  you  may  not,  like 
the  unfinished  and  imperfect  work  of  the  negligent  and 
unfaithful  of  former  times,  be  rejected  and  thrown  aside, 
as  unfit  for  that  spiritual  building,  that  house  not  made 
•with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 

While  such  is  your  conduct,  should  misfortunes  as 
sail  you,  should  friends  forsake  you,  should  envy  tra 
duce  your  good  name,  and  malice  persecute  you ;  yet 
you  may  have  confidence  that,  among  Mark  Master 
Masons,  you  will  find  friends  who  will  administer  relief 
to  your  distresses,  and  comfort  your  afflictions ;  ever 
bearing  in  mind,  as  a  consolation  under  all  the  frowns 
of  fortune,  and  as  an  encouragement  to  hope  for  better 
prospects,  that  the  stone  which  the  builders  rejected,  pos 
sessing  merits  to  them  unknown,  became  the  chief  stone 
of  the  corner. 


MARK   MASTER.  83 

MARK    MASTER'S    SONG. 


Mark  Mas-ters  all      appear,     Before      the 


[ark  Mas-ters  all       appear,      Before     the 


^ 


Chief  O'er-seer,     In  concert  move  ;      Let    him   your 


Chief  O'er-seer,     In  concert  move ;      Let    him   your 


work  in-spect,  For  the  Chief  Ar-chi-tect ;  If  there  be 


work  in-spect,  For  the  Chief  Ar-chi-tect ;  If  there  be 


84 


MARK  .MASTER. 


You  who  have  pass'd  the  square, 
For  your  rewards  prepare, 

Join  heart  and  hand; 
Each  with  his  mark  in  view, 
March  with  the  just  and  true ; 
Wages  to  you  are  due 

At  your  command. 

Hiram,  the  widow's  son, 
Sent  unto  Solomon 

Our  great  key-stone ; 
On  it  appears  the  name 
Which  raises  high  the  fame 
Of  all  to  whom  the  same 

Is  truly  known. 

Now  to  the  westward  move, 
Where,  full  of  strength  and  lor^ 

Hiram  doth  stand; 
But  if  impostois  are 
Mix'd  with  the  worthy  there, 
Caution  them  to  beware 

Of  the  right  hand, 

Now  to  the  praise  of  those 
Who  triumph'd  o'er  the  foes 

Of  mason's  art ; 
To  the  praiseworthy  three, 
Who  founded  this  degree  ; 
May  all  their  virtues  be 

Deep  in  our  hearts. 


MARK   MASTER.  85 

Previous  to  closing  the  Lodge,  the  following  pat  able  is 
recited  : 

"  For  the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  unto  a  man  that 
is  a  householder,  which  went  out  early  in  the  morning 
to  hire  laborers  into  his  vineyard.  And  when  he  had 
agreed  with  the  laborers  for  a  penny  a  day,  he  sent 
them  into  his  vineyard.  And  he  went  out  about  the 
third  hour,  and  saw  others  standing  idle  in  the  market 
place,  and  said  unto  them,  go  ye  also  into  the  vineyard, 
and  whatsoever  is  right  I  will  give  you.  And  they 
went  their  way.  Again  he  went  out  about  the  sixth 
and  ninth  hour,  and  did  likewise.  And  about  the 
eleventh  hour  he  went  out  and  found  others  standing 
idle,  and  saith  unto  them,  why  stand  ye  here  all  the 
day  idle?  They  say  unto  him,  because  no  man  hath 
hired  us.  He  saith  unto  them,  go  ye  also  into  the 
vineyard,  and  whatsoever  is  right,  that  shall  ye  receive. 
So,  when  even  was  come,  the  lord  of  the  vineyard  saith 
unto  his  steward,  call  the  laborers,  and  give  them  their 
hire,  beginning  from  the  last  unto  the  first.  And  when 
they  came  that  were  hired  about  the  eleventh  hour, 
they  received  every  man  a  penny :  but  when  the  first 
came,  they  supposed  that  they  should  have  received 
more;  and  they  likewise  received  every  man  a  penny. 
And  when  they  had  received  it,  they  murmured  against 
the  good  man  of  the  house,  saying,  these  last  have 
wrought  but  one  hour,  and  thou  hast  made  them  equal 
unto  us,  which  have  borne  the  burden  and  heat  of  the 
day.  But  he  answered  one  of  them,  and  said,  friend, 
I  do  thee  no  wrong :  didst  not  thou  agree  with  me  for  a 
penny  ?  Take  that  thine  is,  and  go  thy  way :  I  will 
give  unto  this  last,  even  as  unto  thee.  Is  it  not  lawful 
for  me  to  do  what  I  will  with  mine  own  ?  Is  thine  eye 
evil,  because  I  am  good?  So  the  last  shall  be  first, 
and  the  first  last:  for  many  be  called,  but  few  chosen." 

"  x.  1-16. 


86  PAST   MASTER. 

CHAPTER  II 

PRESENT    OB    PAST    MASTER'S    DEGREE. 

GENERAL   REMARKS. 

THIS  degree  should  be  carefully  studied  and  well 
understood,  by  every  Master  of  a  Lodge.  It  treats  of 
the  government  of  our  society,  the  disposition  of  our 
rulers,  and  illustrates  their  requisite  qualifications.  It 
includes  the  ceremony  of  opening  and  closing  Lodges 
in  the  several  preceding  degrees ;  and  also  the  forms 
of  installation  and  consecration.  It  comprehends  the 
ceremonies  at  laying  the  foundation  stones  of  public 
buildings,  and  also  at  dedications  and  at  funerals,  by  a 
variety  of  particulars  explanatory  of  those  ceremonies. 

Section  First. 

This  section  contains  the  form  of  a  petition  for  letters 
of  dispensation,  or  a  warrant  of  constitution  for  a  Lodge, 
empowering  them  to  work.  The  ceremonies  of  consti 
tution  and  consecration  are  considered,  with  the  form 
of  a  Grand  Procession. 

FORM    OF   A    PETITION   FOR   A  CHARTER   OR  WARRANT   TO 

ESTABLISH    A    NEW    LODGE. 

To  the  Most   Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  of  the  State 

of 

Your  petitioners  respectfully  represent,  that  they 
are  ancient,  free,  and  accepted  Master  Masons.  Having 


PAST  MASTER.  87 

the  prosperity  of  the  Fraternity  at  I  eart,  they  are  wil 
ling-  to  exert  their  best  endeavors  to  promote  and  diffuse 
the  genuine  principles  of  masonry.  For  the  convenience 
of  their  respective  dwellings,  and  for  other  ™™q  ^ea- 
sons,  they  are  desirous  of  forming  a  new  Lodge  in  the 

town  of ,  to  be  named Lodge. 

In  consequence  of  this  desire,  and  for  the  good  of  the 
craft,  they  pray  for  a  warrant  or  dispensation,  to  em 
power  them  to  assemble  as  a  legal  Lodge,  to  discharge 
the  duties  of  masonry  in  the  several  degrees  of  Entered 
Apprentice,  Fellow  Craft,  and  Master  Mason,  in  a 
regular  and  constitutional  manner,  according  to  the 
ancient  form  of  the  fraternity,  and  the  laws  and  regu 
lations  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  That  they  have  nominated 
and  do  recommend  A.  B.  to  be  the  first  Master;  C.  D. 
to  be  the  first  Senior  Warden,  and  E.  F.  to  be  the  first 
Junior  Warden  of  said  Lodge ;  that,  if  the  prayer  of 
the  petition  should  be  granted,  they  promise  a  strict 
conformity  to  all  the  constitutional  laws,  rules  and  reg 
ulations  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

This  petition  must  be  signed  by  at  least  eight  regular 
Master  Masons,  one  of  whom  must  be  of  the  degree  of 
Past  Master ;  and  recommended  by  the  Lodge  nearest 
the  place  where  the  new  Lodge  is  to  be  held.  It  must 
be  delivered  to  the  Grand  Secretary,  whose  duty  it  is 
to  lay  it  before  the  Grand  Lodge.  In  the  recess  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  application  should  be  made  in  the  same 
form  to  the  Grand  Master,  or  the  Deputy  Grand  Master. 

After  a  charter  is  granted  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  the 
Grand  Master  appoints  a  day  and  hour  for  constituting 
and  consecrating  the  new  Lodge,  and  for  installing  the 
Master,  Wardens/  and  other  officers.  The  Grand 


88  PAST   MASTER. 

Master  has  power  to  appoint  some  worthy  Past  Master, 
with  full  power  to  consecrate,  constitute,  and  install  the 
petitioners. 

CEREMONY   OF    CONSTITUTION   AND    CONSECRATION. 

On  the  day  and  hour  appointed,  the  Grand  Master 
and  his  officers  meet  in  a  convenient  room,  near  the 
Lodge  to  be  constituted,  and  open  in  the  third  degree. 
After  the  officers  of  the  new  Lodge  are  examined  by 
the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  they  send  a  messenger  to 
the  Grand  Master,  with  the  following  message,  viz : 

MOST  WORSHIPFUL: — The  officers  and  brethren  of 

Lodge,  who  are  now  assembled  in  their 

lodge  room  at ,  have  instructed  me  to  in 
form  you,  that  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge  was 
pleased  to  grant  them  a  charter,  authorizing  them  to 
form  and  open  a  Lodge  of  free  and  accepted  Masons  in 

the  town  of .     They  are  now  desirous  that 

their  Lodge  should  be  consecrated,  and  their  officers 
installed  in  due  and  ancient  form;  for  which  purpose 
they  are  now  met,  and  await  the  pleasure  of  the  Most 
Worshipful  Grand  Master. 

When  notice  is  given,  the  Grand  Lodge  walk  in 
procession  to  the  hall  of  the  new  Lodge.  When  the 
Grand  Master  enters,  the  grand  honors  are  given  by 
the  new  Lodge ;  the  officers  of  which  resign  their  seats 
to  the  grand  officers,  and  take  their  several  stations  on 
the  left. 


PAST   MASTER.  89 

The  necessary  cautions  are  given,  and  all  excepting 
Present  or  Past  Masters  of  Lodges,  are  requested  to 
retire,  until  the  Master  of  the  new  Lodge  is  inducted 
into  the  Oriental  Chair  of  Solomon.  He  is  then  bound 
to  the  faiihful  performance  of  his  trust,  and  invested 
with  the  characteristics  of  the  chair. 

Upon  due  notice,  the  Grand  Marshal  re-conducts 
the  brethren  into  the  hall ;  and  all  take  their  places, 
except  the  members  of  the  new  Lodge,  who  form  a  pro 
cession  on  one  side  of  the  hall.  As  they  advance,  the 
Grand  Master  addresses  them  : 

"  Brethren,  behold  your  Master." 
They  make  the  proper  salutations  as  they  pass. 
A  grand  procession  is  then  formed,  in  the  following 
order,  viz: 

Tyler  with  a  drawn  sword  ; 
Two  Stewards  with  white  rods ; 
Entered  Apprentices; 
Fellow  Crafts; 
Master  Masons ; 
&J  Stewards ; 

3,  Junior  Deacons; 

£-  Senior  Deacons ; 

Secretaries ; 
Treasurers  ; 
Past  Wardens ; 
Tunior  Wardens ; 
Senior  Wardens ; 
Past  Masters ; 


90  PAST   MASTER. 

Mark  Masters; 
Royal  Arch  Masons, 

Select  Masters ; 
Knights  Templars; 
Masters  of  Lodges ; 

THE    NEW   LODGE. 

Tyler  with  a  drawn  sword ; 

Stewards  with  white  rods ; 

Entered  Apprentices ; 

Fellow  Crafts; 

Master  Masons; 

Junior  and  Senior  Deacons; 

Secretary  and  Treasurer; 

Two  brethren  carrying  the  flooring,*  or  Lodge; 

Junior  and  Senior  Wardens ; 

The  Holy  Writings,  carried  by  the  oldest  or  some 

suitable  member  not  in  office ; 

The  W.  Master; 

Music. 

THE    GRAND    LODGE. 

Grand  Tyler  with  drawn  sword ; 

Grand  Stewards  with  white  rods ; 

A  brother  carrying  a  golden  vessel  of  corn  ;f 

Two  brethren  carrying  the  silver  vessels,  one  of 

wine,  the  other  of  oil ; 

Grand  Secretaries ; 

Grand  Treasurer; 

A  burning  Taper,  borne  by  a  Past  Master ; 

*  Carpet.  t  Wheat. 


PAST   MASTER.  91 

A  Past  Master,  bearing  the  Holy  Writings,  Square 
and  Compasses,  supported  by  two  Stewards  with 

white  rods ; 
Two  burning  Tapers,  borne  by  two  Past  Masters ; 

The  Tuscan  and  Composite  Orders; 
The  Doric,  Ionic,  and  Corinthian  Orders; 

Past  Grand  Wardens ; 
•    g      Past  Deputy  Grand  Masters; 
£  Past  Grand  Masters ; 

JL  The  Globes; 

Clergy  and  Orator, 
B.  W.  Junior  and  Senior  Grand  Wardens ; 

R.  W.  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
The  Master  of  the  oldest  Lodge,  carrying  the  Book  of 

Constitutions ; 

The  M.  W.  Grand  Master; 

The  Grand  Deacons,  on  a  line  seven  feet  apart,  on  the 
right  and  left  of  the  Grand  Master, 

with  black  rods ; 
Grand  Sword  Bearer  with  a  drawn  sword; 

Two  Stewards  with  white  rods. 
The  Marshals  conduct  the  procession  to  the  church, 
or  house,  where  the  services  are  to  be  performed. 
When  the  front  of  the  procession  arrives  at  the  door, 
they  halt,  open  to  the  right  and  left,  and  face  inward ; 
while  the  Grand  Master  and  others,  in  succession,  pass 
through  and  enter  the  house.  A  platform  is  erected 
in  front  of  the  pulpit,  and  provided  with  seats  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  Grand  Officers, 


92  PAST  MASTER. 

The  Holy  Bible,  Square  and  Compasses,  and  Book 
of  Constitutions  are  placed  upon  a  table  in  front  of  the 
Grand  Master.  The  flooring  is  then  spread  in  the 
center,  upon  the  platform,  covered  with  white  satin  or 
linen,  and  encompassed  by  the  three  tapers,  and  the 
vessels  of  corn,  wine  and  oil. 

SERVICES. 

1 .  A  piece  of  Music. 

2.  Prayer. 

3.  An  Oration. 

4.  A  piece  of  Music. 

5.  The  Grand  Marshal  forms  the  officers  and  mem 
bers  of  the  new  Lodge  in  front  of  the  Grand  Master. 
The  Deputy  Grand  Master  addresses  the  Grand  Master 
as  follows : 

MOST  WORSHIPFUL: — A  number  of  brethren  duly  in 
structed  in  the  mysteries  of  masonry,  having  assembled 
together  at  stated  periods,  by  virtue  of  a  dispensation 
granted  them  for  that  purpose,  do  now  desire  to  be 
constituted  into  a  regular  Lodge,  agreeably  to  the  ancient 
usages  and  customs  of  the  fraternity. 

The  dispensation  and  records  are  presented  to  the 
Grand  Master,  who  examines  the  records,  and,  if  found 
correct,  proclaims : — 

The  records  appear  to  be  correct  and  are  approved. 
Upon  due  deliberation,  the  Grand  Lodge  have  granted 
the  brethren  of  this  new  Lodge  a  charter,  establishing 
and  confirming  them  in  the  rights  aud  privileges  of  a 


PAST   MASTER.  93 

regularly  constituted  Lodge,  which  the  Grand  Secretary 
will  now  read. 

After  the  charter  is  read,  the  Grand  Master  then 
says : — 

We  shall  now  proceed,  according  to  ancient  usage, 
to  constitute  these  brethren  into  a  regular  Lodge. 

Whereupon  the  several  officers  of  the  new  Lodge 
deliver  up  their  jewels  and  badges  to  the  Master,  who 
presents  them,  with  his  own,  to  the  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  and  he  to  the  Grand  Master. 

The  Deputy  Grand  Master  presents  the  Master  elect 
to  the  Grand  Master,  saying, 

MOST  WORSHIPFUL  GRAND  MASTER  : — I  present  my 
worthy  Brother  A.  B.  to  be  installed  Master  of  this 
(new)  Lodge.  I  find  him  to  be  of  good  morals  and 
great  skill,  true  and  trusty ;  and  as  he  is  a  lover  of  our 
whole  fraternity,  wheresoever  dispersed  over  the  face 
of  the  earth,  I  doubt  not  that  he  will  discharge  his  duty 
with  fidelity. 

The  Grand  Master  asks  them  if  they  remain  satisfied 
with  their  choice.  \Tliey  bow  in  token  of  assent .] 

The  Master  elect  then  presents  severally,  his  war 
dens  and  other  officers,  naming  them  and  their  respec 
tive  offices.  The  Grand  Master  asks  the  brethren  if 
they  remain  satisfied  with  each  and  all  of  them.  \They 
bow  as  before.] 

The  officers  and  members  of  the  new  Lodge  form 
in  front  of  the  Grand  Master ;  and  the  business  of  con 
secration  commences  with  solemn  music. 


94  PAST   MASTER. 

6.    CEREMONY    OF    CONSECRATION". 

The  Grand  Master,  attended  by  the  Grand  Officers 
and  the  Grand  Chaplain,  form  themselves  in  order 
round  the  Lodge — all  devoutly  kneeling. 

7.  A  piece  of  solemn  music  is  performed  while  the 
Lodge  is  uncovered. 

After  which,  the  first  clause  of  the  Consecration 
Prayer  is  rehearsed  by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  which  is 
as  follows : 

"  Great  Architect  of  the  Universe !  Maker  and  Ruler 
of  all  worlds !  deign,  from  thy  celestial  temple,  from 
realms  of  light  and  glory,  to  bless  us  in  all  the  purposes 
of  our  present  assembly.  We  humbly  invoke  thee  to 
give  us  at  this,  and  at  all  times,  wisdom  in  all  our  do 
ings,  strength  of  mind  in  all  our  difficulties,  and  the 
beauty  of  harmony  in  all  our  communications.  Permit 
us,  0  thou  Author  of  light  and  life,  great  source  of 
love  and  happiness,  to  erect  this  Lodge,  and  now  sol 
emnly  to  consecrate  it  to  the  honor  of  thy  glory. 

"  Glory  be  to  God  on  high." 

[Response  ly  the  brethren.'] 

"As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall 
be;  world  without  end.  Amen.  So  mote  it  be." 

The  Deputy  Grand  Master  takes  the  golden  Vessel 
of  Corn,  and  the  Senior  and  Junior  Grand  Wardens 
take  the  Silver  Vessels  of  Wine  and  Oil,  and  sprinkle 
the  elements  of  consecration  upon  the  Lodge. 

[The  Grand  Chaplain  then  continues:] 

"  Grant,  0  Lord  our  God,  that  those  who  are  now 
about  to  be  invested  with  the  government  of  this  Lodge, 


PAST  MASTER.  95 

may  be  endued  with  wisdom  to  instruct  their  brethren 
in  all  their  duties.  May  brotherly  love,  relief,  and  truth, 
always  prevail  among  the  members  of  this  Lodge ;  and 
may  this  bond  of  union  continue  to  strengthen  the 
Lodges  throughout  the  world. 

"Bless  all  our  brethren,  wherever  dispersed;  and 
grant  speedy  relief  to  all  who  are  either  oppressed  or 
distressed. 

"We  affectionately  commend  to  thee,  all  the  mem 
bers  of  thy  whole  family.  May  they  increase  in  grace, 
in  the  knowledge  of  thee,  and  in  the  love  of  each  other. 

"Finally:  may  we  finish  all  our  work  here  below 
with  thy  approbation;  and  then  have  our  transition  from 
this  earthly  abode  to  thy  heavenly  temple  above,  there 
to  enjoy  light,  glory  and  bliss,  ineffable  and  eternal  I 

"Glory  be  to  God  on  high." 

[Response  ~by  the  brethren.] 

"As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall 
be ;  world  without  end.  Amen." 

8.  A  piece  of  solemn  music  is  performed  while  the 
Carpet  is  covered. 

9.  The  Grand  Chaplain  then  dedicates  the  Lodge  in 
the  following  terms : 

"To  the^  memory  of  the  HOLY  STS.  JOHN,  we 
dedicate  this  Lodge.  May  every  brother  revere  their 
character,  and  imitate  their  virtues. 

"Glory  be  to  God  on  high." 

[Response] 

"As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall 
be ;  world  without  end.  Amen.  So  mote  it  be." 


96  PAST   MASTER. 

10.  A  piece  of  music  is  performed,  while  the  breth 
ren  of  the  new  Lodge  advance  in  procession  to  salute 
the  Grand  Lodge,  with  their  hands  crossed  upon  their 
breasts  as  they  pass.     They  then  take  their  places  as 
they  were. 

1 1 .  The  Grand  Master  then  rises  and  constitutes  the 
new  Lodge  in  the  form  following : 

"In  the  name  of  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge, 
I  now  constitute  and  form  you,  my  beloved  brethren, 
into  a  regular  Lodge  of  free  and  accepted  Masons. 
From  henceforth  I  empower  you  to  meet  as  a  regulai 
Lodge,  constituted  in  conformity  to  the  rites  of  our 
order,  and  the  charges  of  our  ancient  and  honorable 
fraternity; — and  may  the  Supreme  Architect  of  the 
Universe  prosper,  direct  and  counsel  you  in  all  your 
doings.  Amen." 

[Response.]         "So  mote  it  be." 

Section  Second. 

CEREMONY   OF    INSTALLATION. 


The  Grand  Master,  or  presiding  officer,  addresses 
the  Master  elect  in  the  words  following,  viz : 

BROTHER  : — Previous  to  your  investiture,  it  is  neces 
sary  that  you  should  signify  your  assent  to  those  ancient 
charges  and  regulations,  which  point  out  the  duty  of 
a  Master  of  a  Lodge. 


PAST   MASTER.  97 

I.  You  agree  to  be  a  good  man  and  true,  and  strictly 
to  obey  the  moral  law. 

II.  You  agree  to  be  a  peaceable  citizen,  and  cheer 
fully  to  conform  to  the  laws  of  the  country  in  which 
you  reside. 

III.  You  promise  not  to  be  concerned  in  plots  and 
conspiracies  against  government ;  but  patiently  submit 
to  the  decisions  of  the  supreme  legislature. 

IV.  You  agree  to  pay  a  proper  respect  to  the  civil 
magistrates,  to  work  diligently,  live  creditably,  and  act 
honorably  by  all  men. 

V.  You  agree  to  hold  in  veneration  the  original  rulers 
and  patrons  of  the  order  of  masonry,  and  their  regular 
successors,  supreme  and  subordinate,  according  to  their 
stations ;  and  to  submit  to  the  awards  and  resolutions 
of  your  brethren,  when  convened  in  every  case  consis 
tent  with  the  Constitutions  of  the  order. 

VI.  You  agree  to  avoid  private  piques  and  quarrels, 
and  to  guard  against  intemperance  and  excess. 

VII.  You  agree  to  be  cautious  in  carriage,  and  be 
haviour,  courteous  to  your  brethren,  and  faithful  to 
your  Lodge. 

VIII.  You  promise  to  respect  genuine  brethren,  and 
to  discountenance  imposters,  and  all  dissenters  from 
the  original  plan  of  masonry. 

IX.  You  agree  to  promote  the  general  good  of  so 
ciety,  to  cultivate  the  social  virtues,  and  to  propagate 
the  knowledge  of  the  art. 

X.  You  promise  to  pay  homage  to  the  Grand  Master 

7 


98  PAST  MASTER. 

for  the  time  being,  and  to  his  officers  when  duly  installed; 
and  strictly  to  conform  to  every  edict  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  or  general  assembly  of  Masons,  that  is  not  sub 
versive  of  the  principles  and  ground-work  of  masonry. 

XI.  You  admit,  that  it  is  not  in  the  power  of  any 
man,  or  body  of  men,  to  make  innovations  in  the  body 
of  masonry. 

XII.  You  promise  a  regular  attendance  on  the  com 
mittees  and  communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  on 
receiving  proper  notice,  and  to  pay  attention  to  all  the 
duties  of  masonry,  on  convenient  occasions. 

XIII.  You  admit  that  no  new  Lodge  shall  be  formed 
without  permission  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and  that  no 
countenance  be  given  to  an  irregular  Lodge,  or  to  any 
person  clandestinely  initiated  therein,  being  contrary  to 
the  ancient  charges  of  the  order. 

XIV.  You  admit  that  no  person  can  be  regularly 
made  a  Mason  in,  or  admitted  a  member  of,  any  regu 
lar  Lodge,  without  previous  notice,  and  due  inquiry 
into  his  character. 

XV.  You  agree  that  no  visiters  shall  be  received  into 
your  Lodge,  without  due  examination,  and  producing 
proper  vouchers  of  their  having  been  initiated  in  a 
regular  Lodge. 

These  are  the  regulations  of  free  and  accepted  Masons. 

Do  you  submit  to  these  charges,  and  promise  to 
support  these  regulations,  as  Masters  have  done  in  all 
ages  before  you? 

The  Master  is  to  answer,  I  do. 


PAST   MASTER.  99 

The  presiding  officer  then  addresses  him : 
BROTHER  A.  B.: — In  consequence  of  your  cheerful 
conformity  to  the  charges  and  regulations  of  the  order, 
you  are  now  to  be  installed  Master  of  this*  Lodge,  in 
full  confidence  of  your  care,  skill,  and  capacity  to 
govern  the  same. 


[The  new  Master  is  then  regularly  invested  with  the 
insignia  of  his  office,  and  the  furniture  and  implements 
of  the  Lodge.] 

The  various  implements  of  the  profession  are  em 
blematical  of  our  conduct  in  life,  and  upon  this  occasion 
are  carefully  enumerated. 

The  Holy  Writings,  that  great  light  in  masonry,  will 
guide  you  to  all  truth :  it  will  direct  your  paths  to  the 
temple  of  happiness,  and  point  out  to  you  the  whole 
duty  of  man. 

The  Square  teaches  us  to  regulate  our  actions  by 
the  rule  and  line,  and  harmonize  our  conduct  by  the 
principles  of  morality  and  virtue. 

The  Compasses  teach  us  to  limit  our  desires  in  every 
station;  that,  rising  to  eminence  by  merit,  we  may  live 
respected  and  die  regretted. 

The  Rule  directs  that  we  should  punctually  observe 

*  If  the  Lodge  is  installed  for  the  first  time,  it  is  called 
"  This  new  Lodge." 


100  PAST  MASTER. 

our  duty;  press  forward  in  the  path  of  virtue,  and 
neither  inclining  to  the  right  nor  to  the  left,  in  all  our 
actions  have  eternity  in  view. 

The  Line  teaches  the  criterion  of  moral  rectitude,  to 
avoid  dissimulation  in  conversation  and  action,  and  to 
direct  our  steps  to  the  path  which  leads  to  a  glorious 
immortality. 

The  Book  of  Constitutions  you  are  to  search  at  all 
times.  Cause  it  to  be  read  in  your  Lodge,  that  none 
may  pretend  ignorance  of  the  excellent  precepts  it 
enjoins. 

You  will  also  receive  in  charge  the  By-laws  of  your 
Lodge,  which  you  are  to  see  carefully  and  punctually 
executed. 

The  subordinate  officers  are  then  severally  invested 
by  the  presiding  officer,  who  delivers  each  of  them  a 
short  charge  as  follows,  viz : 

The  Senior   Warden. 


BROTHER  C.  D.:  You  are  elected  Senior  Warden  of 
this  Lodge,  and  are  now  invested  with  the  badge  of 
your  office. 

The  level  demonstrates  that  we  are  descended  from 


PAST   MASTER.  101 

the  same  stock,  partake  of  the  same  nature,  and  share 
the  same  hope;  and  though  distinctions  among  men 
are  necessary  to  preserve  subordination,  yet  no  emi 
nence  of  station  should  make  us  forget  that  we  are 
brethren ;  for  he  who  is  placed  on  the  lowest  spoke  of 
fortune's  wheel,  may  be  entitled  to  our  regard;  because 
a  time  will  come,  and  the  wisest  knows  not  how  soon, 
when  all  distinctions  but  that  of  goodness  shall  cease, 
and  death,  the  grand  leveller  of  human  greatness,  re 
duce  us  to  the  same  state. 

Your  regular  attendance  on  our  stated  meetings,  is 
essentially  necessary.  In  the  absence  of  the  Master, 
you  are  to  govern  the  Lodge ;  in  his  presence  you  are 
to  assist  him  in  the  government  of  it.  I  firmly  rely  on 
your  knowledge  of  masonry  and  attachment  to  the 
Lodge  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this 
important  trust. — Look  well  to  the  West! 

The  Junior   Warden. 


I 


BROTHER  E.  F.: — You  are  elected  Junior  Warden 
of  this  Lodge,  and  are  now  invested  with  the  badge  of 
your  office.  To  you,  with  such  assistance  as  may  be 
necessary,  is  entrusted  the  examination  of  visitors  and 
the  preparation  of  candidates. 


102  PAST  MASTER. 

The  plumb  admonishes  us  to  walk  uprightly  in  our 
several  stations ;  to  hold  the  scales  of  justice  in  equal 
poise ;  and  to  make  our  passions  and  prejudices  coincide 
with  the  line  of  duty. 

To  you  is  committed  the  superintendence  of  the  craft, 
during  the  hours  of  refreshment ; — it  is  therefore  in 
dispensably  necessary,  that  you  should  not  only  be 
temperate  and  discreet,  in  the  indulgence  of  your  own 
inclinations,  but  carefully  observe  that  none  of  the  craft 
be  suffered  to  convert  the  purposes  of  refreshment  into 
intemperance  and  excess. 

Your  regular  and  punctual  attendance  is  particularly 
requested ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that  you  will  faithfully 
execute  the  duty  which  you  owe  to  your  present  ap 
pointment. — Look  well  to  the  South! 

The  Treasurer. 


BROTHER  G.  H.: — You  are  elected  Treasurer  of  this 
Lodge.  It  is  your  duty  to  receive  all  moneys  from 
the  hands  of  the  Secretary,  make  due  entries  of  the 
same,  and  pay  them  out  by  order  of  the  Worshipful 
Master  and  the  consent  of  the  Lodge. 

I  trust  your  regard  for  the  fraternity  will  prompt 
you  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  of  your  office. 


PAST   MASTER.  103 

The  Secretary. 


BROTHER  J.  K.: — You  are  elected  Secretary  of  this 
Lodge.  It  is  your  duty  to  observe  all  the  proceedings 
of  the  Lodge ;  make  a  fair  record  of  all  things  proper 
to  be  written ;  to  receive  all  moneys  paid  to  the  Lodge, 
and  pay  them  over  to  the  Treasurer,  and  take  his  re 
ceipt  for  the  same. 

Your  good  inclination  to  masonry  and  this  Lodge,  I 
hope,  will  induce  you  to  discharge  the  duties  of  your 
office  with  fidelity ;  and  by  so  doing,  you  will  merit  the 
esteem  and  applause  of  your  brethren. 

Senior  and  Junior  Deacons. 


BROTHERS  L.  M.  AND  N.  0.: — You  are  elected  Dea 
cons  of  this  Lodge.  It  is  your  province  to  attend  on 
the  Master  and  Wardens,  and  to  act  as  their  proxies  in 
the  active  duties  of  the  Lodge ;  such  as  in  the  reception 
of  candidates  into  the  different  degrees  of  masonry,  and 
in  the  immediate  practice  of  our  rites.  The  Square 
and  Compasses,  as  badges  of  your  office,  I  entrust  to 
your  care,  not  doubting  your  vigilance  and  attention. 


104  PAST   MASTER. 

The  Stewards. 

BROTHERS  P.  Q.  AND  R.  S.: — You  are  elected  Stew 
ards  of  this  Lodge.  The  duties  of  your  office  are,  to 
assist  in  the  collection  of  dues  and  subscriptions ;  to 
keep  an  account  of  the  Lodge  expenses ;  and  generally 
to  assist  the  deacons  and  other  officers  in  performing 
their  duties. 

Your  regular  and  early  attendance  will  afford  the 
best  proof  of  your  zeal  and  attachment  to  the  Lodge. 
The  Tyler. 


BROTHER: — You  are  elected  Tyler  of  this  Lodge, 
and  I  invest  you  with  the  implement  of  your  office. 
As  the  sword  is  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  Tyler,  to 
enable  him  effectually  to  guard  against  the  approach  of 
cowans  and  eves-droppers,  and  suffer  none  to  pass  or 
repass  but  such  as  are  duly  qualified ;  so  it  should 
morally  serve  as  a  constant  admonition  to  us,  to  set  a 
guard  at  the  entrance  of  our  thoughts ;  to  place  a  watch 
at  the  door  of  our  lips  ;  and  to  post  a  sentinel  over  our 
actions  :  thereby  excluding  every  unqualified  and  un 
worthy  thought,  word  and  deed  ;  and  preserving  con 
sciences  void  of  offence  towards  God  and  towards  man. 

Your  early  and  punctual  attendance  will  afford  the 
best  proof  of  your  zeal  for  the  institution. 


PAST   MASTER.  105 

CHAR  GEupon  the  Installation  of  the  Master  of  a  Lodge. 

WORSHIPFUL  MASTER — Being  elected  Master  of  this 
Lodge,  you  cannot  be  insensible  of  the  obligations  which 
devolve  on  you,  as  its  head ;  nor  of  your  responsibility 
for  the  faithful  discharge  of  the  important  duties  an 
nexed  to  your  station. 

The  honor,  reputation,  and  usefulness  of  your  Lodge, 
will  materially  depend  on  the  skill  and  assiduity  with 
which  you  manage  its  concerns ;  while  the  happiness 
of  its  members  will  be  generally  promoted,  in  propor 
tion  to  the  zeal  and  ability  with  which  you  propagate 
the  genuine  principles  of  our  institution. 

For  a  pattern  of  imitation,  consider  the  great  luminary 
of  nature,  which,  rising  in  the  East,  regularly  diffuses 
light  and  lustre  to  all  within  its  circle.  In  like  manner, 
it  is  your  province  to  spread  and  communicate  light 
and  instruction  to  the  brethren  of  your  Lodge.  For 
cibly  impress  upon  them  the  dignity  and  high  impor 
tance  of  masonry,  and  seriously  admonish  them  never 
to  disgrace  it. — Charge  them  to  practice  out  of  the 
Lodge,  those  duties  which  are  taught  in  it;  and  by 
amiable,  discreet,  and  virtuous  conduct,  to  convince 
mankind  of  the  goodness  of  the  institution;  so  that, 
when  any  one  is  said  to  be  a  member  of  it,  the  world 
may  know  that  he  is  one  to  whom  the  burthened  heart 
may  pour  out  its  sorrows ;  to  whom  distress  may  prefer 
its  suit;  whose  hand  is  guided  by  justice,  and  whose 
heart  is  expanded  by  benevolence.  In  short,  by  a 
diligent  observance  of  the  By-laws  of  your  Lodge,  the 


106  PAST   MASTER. 

Constitutions  of  masonry,  and,  above  all,  the  Holy 
Scriptures,  which  are  given  as  a  rule  and  guide  to  your 
faith  and  practice,  you  will  be  enabled  to  acquit  yourself 
with  honor  and  reputation,  and  lay  up  a  crown  of  re 
joicing,  which  shall  continue  when  time  shall  be  no  more. 

CHARGE  to  Senior  and  Junior  Wardens. 

BROTHER  SENIOR  AND  JUNIOR  WARDENS — You  are 
too  well  acquainted  with  the  principles  of  masonry  to 
warrant  any  distrust  that  you  will  be  found  wanting  in 
the  discharge  of  your  respective  duties. — Suffice  it  to 
mention,  that  what  you  have  seen  praiseworthy  in 
others,  you  should  carefully  imitate ;  and  what  in  them 
may  have  appeared  defective,  you  should  in  yourselves 
amend.  You  should  be  examples  for  good  order  and 
regularity ;  for  it  is  only  by  a  due  regard  to  the  laws 
in  your  own  conduct,  that  you  can  expect  obedience  to 
them  from  others.  You  are  assiduously  to  assist  the 
Master  in  the  discharge  of  his  trust ;  diffusing  light  and 
imparting  knowledge  to  all  whom  he  shall  place  under 
your  care.  In  the  absence  of  the  Master  you  will  suc 
ceed  to  higher  duties ;  your  acquirements  must  therefore 
be  such,  as  that  the  Craft  may  never  suffer  for  want  of 
proper  instruction.  From  the  spirit  which  you  have 
hitherto  evinced,  I  entertain  no  doubt  that  your  future 
conduct  will  be  such  as  to  merit  the  applause  of  your 
brethren,  and  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience. 

BRETHREN  OF LODGE — Such  is  the  nature  of 

our  Constitution,  that  as  some  must  of  necessity  rule 


PAST  MASTER.  107 

and  teach,  so  others  must  of  course  learn  to  submit 
and  obey.  Humility  in  both  is  an  essential  duty.  The 
officers  who  are  appointed  to  govern  your  Lodge,  are 
sufficiently  conversant  with  the  rules  of  propriety,  and 
the  laws  of  the  institution,  to  avoid  exceeding  the  powers 
with  which  they  are  entrusted ;  and  you  are  of  too  gen 
erous  dispositions  to  envy  their  preferment.  I  therefore 
trust  that  you  will  have  but  one  aim,  to  please  each 
other,  and  unite  in  the  grand  design  of  being  happy, 
and  communicating  happiness. 

Finally,  my  brethren,  as  this  association  has  been 
formed  and  perfected  with  so  much  unanimity  and 
concord,  in  which  we  greatly  rejoice,  so  may  it  long 
continue.  May  you  long  enjoy  every  satisfaction  and 
delight  which  disinterested  friendship  can  afford.  May 
kindness  and  brotherly  affection  distinguish  your  con 
duct,  as  men,  and  as  Masons.  Within  your  peaceful 
walls,  may  your  children's  children  celebrate  with  joy 
and  gratitude,  the  transactions  of  this  auspicious 
solemnity.  And  may  the  tenets  of  our  profession  be 
transmitted  through  your  Lodge,  pure  and  unimpaired, 
from  generation  to  generation. 

12.  The  Grand  Marshal  then  proclaims  the  new 
Lodge  in  the  following  manner,  viz : 

In  the  name  of  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge 

of  the  State  of ,  I  proclaim  this  new  Lodge  by 

the  name  of Lodge,  No.  — ,  to  be  legally 

constituted,  consecrated,  and  the  officers  thereof  duly 
installed. 


108  PAST  MASTER. 

13.  A  piece  of  music  is  then  performed. 

14.  Benediction. 

The  Grand  Officers  being  seated,  all  but  Master 
Masons  are  caused  to  retire. 

A  procession  is  then  formed,  and  passes  three  times 
round  the  hall ;  and  upon  passing  the  Master,  pays  him 
due  homage  by  the  usual  honors,  in  the  different 
degrees. 

While  the  procession  is  passing  round,  the  following 
song  is  sung : 

HAIL  MASONRY  divine! 
Glory  of  ages  shine ; 

Long  may'st  thou  reign ; 
Where'er  thy  lodges  stand, 
May  they  have  great  command, 
And  always  grace  the  land, 

Thou  Art  divine ; 

Great  fabrics  still  arise, 
And  grace  the  azure  skies ; 

Great  are  thy  schemes ; 
Thy  noble  orders  are 
Matchless,  beyond  compare  • 
No  art  with  thee  can  share, 

Thou  Art  divine. 

Hiram,  the  Architect, 
Did  all  the  Craft  direct 
How  they  should  build : 


PAST  MASTER.  109 

Sol'mon,  great  Israel's  king, 
Did  mighty  blessings  bring, 
And  left  us  room  to  sing, 

Hail,  royal  Art ! 

The  Grand  Master  then  directs  the  Grand  Marshal 

to  form  the  procession ;  when  the  Grand  Lodge  walk  to 

their  own  hall,  and  both  Lodges  are  closed  in  due  form. 

Section  Third. 

This  section  contains  the  ceremony  observed  on  lay 
ing  the  foundation  stones  of  public  structures. 

This  ceremony  is  conducted  by  the  M.  "W.  Grand 
Master  and  his  officers,  assisted  by  such  officers  and 
members  of  subordinate  Lodges,  as  can  conveniently 
attend.  The  chief  magistrate,  and  other  civil  officers 
of  the  place  where  the  building  is  to  be  erected,  also 
generally  attend  on  the  occasion. 

At  the  time  appointed,  the  Grand  Lodge  is  convened 
in  some  suitable  place.  A  band  of  martial  music  is 
provided,  and  the  brethren  appear  in  the  insignia  of 
the  Order. 

The  Lodge  is  then  opened  by  the  Grand  Master,  and 
the  rules  for  regulating  the  procession  are  read  by  the 
Grand  Secretary.  The  Lodge  is  then  adjourned;  after 
which  the  procession  sets  out  in  duefo?~m,  in  the  fol 
lowing  order : 

Procession  at  laying  Foundation  Stones. 

Two  Tylers  with  drawn  Swords  ; 
Tyler  of  the  oldest  Lodge  with  a  drawn  Sword ; 


HO  PAST  MASTER. 

Two  Stewards  of  the  oldest  Lodge; 
Entered  Apprentices ; 
Fellow  Crafts; 
Master  Masons ; 
*3  Past  Secretaries; 

"oj  Past  Treasurers ; 

jj|  Past  Junior  Wardens ; 

Past  Senior  Wardens ; 
Mark  Masters ; 
Past  Masters ; 
Royal  Arch  Masons ; 

Select  Masters ; 

Knights  Templars; 

Masters ; 

Music ; 

Grand  Tyler  with  a  drawn  Sword ; 

Grand  Stewards  with  white  Rods ; 

A  Past  Master  with  a  Golden  Vessel  containing  Corn; 

Principal  Architect  with  Square,  Level  and  Plumb ; 
Two  Past  Masters  with  Silver  Vessels,  one  containing 

Wine,  and  the  other  Oil ; 
Grand  Secretary  and  Treasurer; 

The  Five  Orders ; 

One  large  light  borne  by  a  Past  Master; 

The  Holy  Bible,  Square  and  Compasses,  borne  by  a 

Master  of  a  Ixidge,  supported  by  two  Stewards 

on  the  right  and  left ; 

Two  large  Lights,  borne  by  two  Past  Masters ; 
Grand  Chaplain; 


PAST   MASTER.  Ill 

Clergy  and  Orator; 

Grand  Wardens; 

Deputy  Grand  Master; 

The  Master  of  the  oldest  Lodge,  carrying  the  Book  of 

Constitutions  on  a  velvet  cushion ; 
Grand  Deacons  with  black  Rods,  on  a  line  Seven 

feet  apart ; 
Grand  Master ; 

Two  Stewards  with  white  rods ; 
Grand  Sword  Bearer  with  a  drawn  Sword. 
A  Triumphal  Arch  is  usually  erected  at  the  place 
where  the  ceremony  is  to  be  performed.  The  proces 
sion  passes  through  the  arch ;  and  the  brethren  repair 
ing  to  their  stands,  the  Grand  Master  and  his  officers 
take  their  places  on  a  temporary  platform,  covered  with 
carpet.  The  Grand  Master  commands  silence.  An 
Ode  on  Masonry  is  sung;  after  which,  the  necessary 
preparations  are  made  for  laying  the  stone,  on  which 
is  engraved  the  year  of  masonry,  the  name  and  title  of 
the  Grand  Master,  &c.,  &c. 

The  stone  is  raised  up  by  means  of  an  engine  erected 
for  that  purpose,  and  the  Grand  Chaplain  or  Orator 
repeats  a  short  prayer. 

The  Grand  Treasurer,  then,  by  the  Grand  Master's 
command,  places  under  the  stone  various  sorts  of  coin 
and  medals  of  the  present  age.  Solemn  music  is  in 
troduced,  and  the  stone  is  let  down  into  its  place. 

The  principal  architect  then  presents  the  working 
tools  to  the  Grand  Master,  who  applies  the  plumb,  square 


112  PAST   MASTER 

and  level  to  the  stone,  in  their  proper  position,  and 
pronounces  it  to  be  WELL  FORMED,  TRUE,  and  TRUSTY. 

The  golden  and  silver  vessels  are  next  brought  to 
the  table  and  delivered ;  the  former  to  the  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  and  the  latter  to  the  Grand  Wardens,  who 
successively  present  them  to  the  Grand  Master ;  and  he, 
according  to  ancient  ceremony,  pours  the  corn,  the  wine 
and  the  oil,  which  they  contain,  on  the  stone ;  saying — 

"  May  the  all-bounteous  Author  of  Nature  bless  the 
inhabitants  of  this  place  with  all  the  necessaries,  con 
veniences  and  comforts  of  this  life ;  assist  in  the  erection 
and  completion  of  this  building;  protect  the  workmen 
against  every  accident,  and  long  preserve  this  structure 
from  decay ;  and  grant  to  us  all,  a  supply  of  the  CORN  of 
nourishment,  the  WINE  of  refreshment,  and  the  OIL  of  joy! 

"Amen.     So  mote  it  be." 

He  then  strikes  the  stone  thrice  with  the  mallet ;  and 
the  public  grand  honors  are  given.  The  Grand  Master 
then  delivers  over  to  the  Architect  the  various  imple 
ments  of  architecture,  entrusting  him  with  the  super 
intendence  and  direction  of  the  work ;  after  which,  he 
re-ascends  the  platform,  and  an  oration  suitable  to  the 
occasion  is  delivered. 

A  voluntary  collection  is  made  for  the  needy  work 
men  ;  and  the  sum  collected  is  placed  upon  the  stone 
by  the  Grand  Treasurer. 

A  suitable  song  in  honor  of  masonry  concludes  the 
ceremony ;  after  which,  the  procession  returns  to  the 
place  whence  it  set  out,  and  the  Lodge  is  closed  in  due 
form. 


PAST   MASTER.  113 

Section  Fourth. 

The  fourth  section  contains  the  ceremony  observed 
at  the  Dedication  of  Freemasons'  Halls. 

On  the  day  appointed,  the  Grand  Master  and  his 
officers,  accompanied  by  the  members  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  meet  in  a  convenient  room  near  the  place  where 
the  ceremony  is  to  be  performed,  and  open  in  due  and 
ample  form,  in  the  third  degree  of  masonry. 

The  Master  of  the  Lodge,  to  which  the  Hall  to  be 
dedicated  belongs,  being  present,  addresses  the  Grand 
Master  as  follows : 

MOST  WORSHIPFUL — The  brethren  of Lodo-e, 

O     9 

being  animated  with  a  desire  of  promoting  the  honor 
and  interest  of  the  craft,  have,  at  great  pains  and  ex 
pense;  erected  a  masonic  Hall  for  their  convenience  and 
accommodation.  They  are  now  desirous  that  the  same 
should  be  examined  by  the  M.  W.  GRAND  LODGE,  and 
if  it  meet  their  approbation,  that  it  should  be  solemnly 
dedicated  to  masonic  purposes,  agreeably  to  ancient  form. 

The  Grand  Master  then  directs  the  Grand  Marshal 
to  form  the  procession,  when  they  move  forward  to 
the  Hall  to  be  dedicated.  On  entering,  the  music  will 
continue  while  the  procession  marches  three  times  round 
the  Hall. 

The  carpet,  or  flooring,  is  then  placed  in  the  center; 
and  the  Grand  Master  having  taken  the  chair,  under  a 
canopy  of  state,  the  Grand  Officers,  and  the  Masters  and 
Wardens  q£  the  Lodge,  repair  to  the  places  previously 


114  PAST   MASTER. 

prepared  for  their  reception.  The  three  Lights,  and 
the  Golden  and  Silver  Pitchers,  with  the  corn,  wine 
and  oil,  are  placed  round  the  Lodge,  at  the  head  of 
which  stands  the  Altar,  with  the  Holy  Bible  open,  and 
the  Square  and  Compasses  laid  thereon,  with  the 
Charter,  Book  of  Constitutions,  and  By-laws. 

An  Anthem  is  sung,  and  an  Exordium  on  masonry 
given ;  after  which,  the  Architect  addresses  the  Grand 
Master,  as  follows : 

MOST  WORSHIPFUL — Having  been  entrusted  with  the 
superintendence  and  management  of  the  workmen  em 
ployed  in  the  erection  of  this  edifice;  and  having, 
according  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  accomplished  the 
task  assigned  me,  I  now  return  my  thanks  for  the 
honor  of  this  appointment,  and  beg  leave  to  surrender 
up  the  implements  which  were  committed  to  my  care 
when  the  foundation  of  this  fabric  was  laid ;  humbly 
hoping  that  the  exertions  which  have  been  made  on 
this  occasion,  will  be  crowned  with  your  approbation, 
and  that  of  the  Most  Worshipful  Grand  Lodge. 

To  which  the  Grand  Master  makes  the  following 
reply : 

BROTHER  ARCHITECT — The  skill  and  fidelity  displayed 
in  the  execution  of  the  trust  reposed  in  you  at  the 
commencement  of  this  undertaking,  have  secured  the 
approbation  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  and  they  sincerely 
pray,  that  this  edifice  may  continue  a  lasting  monument 
of  the  taste,  spirit,  and  liberality  of  its  founders. 


PAST  MASTER.  115 

An  Ode  in  honor  of  masonry  is  sung,  accompanied 
with  instrumental  music. 

The  Deputy  Grand  Master  then  rises  and  says: 

MOST  WORSHIPFUL — The  Hall  in  which  we  are  now 
assembled,  and  the  plan  upon  which  it  has  been  con 
structed,  having  met  with  your  approbation,  it  is  the 
desire  of  the  fraternity  that  it  should  now  be  dedicated 
according  to  ancient  form  and  usage. 

Whereupon  a  procession  is  formed  in  the  following 
order,  viz : 

Grand  Sword  Bearer; 

A  Past  Master  with  a  Light ; 

A  Past  Master  with  a  Bible,  Square,  and  Compasses, 

on  a  velvet  cushion  ; 

Two  Past  Masters  each  with  a  Light ; 

Grand  Secretary  and  Treasurer  with  Emblems ; 

Junior  Grand  Warden  with  Pitcher  of  Corn ; 

Senior  Grand  Warden  with  Pitcher  of  Wine ; 

Deputy  Grand  Master  with  Pitcher  of  Oil ; 

Grand  Master ; 
Two  Stewards  with  Rods. 

All  the  other  brethren  keep  their  places  and  assist  in 
performing  an  Ode,  which  continues  during  the  pro 
cession,  excepting  only  at  the  intervals  of  dedication. 
The  Carpet  being  uncovered,  the  first  time  passing 
round  it  the  Grand  Junior  Warden  presents  the  pitcher 
of  Corn  to  the  Grand  Master,  who  pours  it  out  upon 
the  Lodge,  at  the  same  time  pronouncing — 


116  I' AST   MASTER. 

"In  the  name  of  the  Great  JEHOVAH,  to  whom  be 
all  honor  and  glory,  I  do  solemnly  dedicate  this  Hall 
to  MASONRY." 

The  grand  honors  are  given. 

The  second  time  passing  round  the  Lodge,  the  Senior 
Grand  Warden  presents  the  pitcher  of  Wine  to  the 
Grand  Master,  who  sprinkles  it  upon  the  Carpet,  at  the 
same  time  saying — 

"In  the  name  of  the  HOLY  SAINTS  JOHN,  I  do  sol 
emnly  dedicate  this  Hall  to  VIRTUE." 
The  grand  honors  are  twice  given. 

The  third  time  passing  round  the  Lodge,  the  Deputy 
Grand  Master  presents  the  Grand  Master  with  the 
pitcher  of  Oil,  who  pours  it  upon  the  Carpet,  saying — 

"In  the  name  of  the  whole  Fraternity,  I  do  sol 
emnly  dedicate  this  Hall  to  UNIVERSAL  BENEVO 
LENCE." 

The  grand  honors  are  thrice  given. 

A  solemn  Invocation  is  made  to  the  Throne  of  Grace 
by  the  Grand  Chaplain,  and  an  Anthem  sung;  after 
which  the  Carpet  is  covered,  and  the  Grand  Master 
retires  to  his  Chair. 

An  Oration  is  then  delivered,  and  the  ceremonies 
conclude  with  music.  The  Grand  Lodge  is  then  closed 
in  due  or  ample  form. 

Section  Fifth. 
This   section   contains  the   ceremony  observed   at 


PAST   MASTER.  117 

Funerals,  according  to  the  ancient  custom;  together 
with  the  service  used  on  such  occasions. 

No  Mason  can  be  interred  with  the  formalities  of  the 
order,  unless  it  be  by  his  own  special  request,  foreigners 
and  sojourners  excepted ;  nor  unless  he  has  been  raised 
to  the  sublime  degree  of  Master  Mason ;  as  no  Fellow 
Craft  or  Entered  Apprentice  is  entitled  to  funeral  ob 
sequies,  nor  to  attend  the  masonic  procession  on  such 
occasions. 

All  the  brethren  who  walk  in  procession,  should 
observe,  as  much  as  possible,  an  uniformity  in  their 
dress.  Decent  mourning  around  the  left  arm,  with 
white  gloves  and  aprons,  are  most  suitable. 

THE    FUNERAL    SERVICE. 

The  brethren  being  assembled  at  the  Lodge-room, 
(or  some  other  convenient  place,)  the  presiding  officer 
opens  the  Lodge  in  the  third  degree,  with  the  usual 
forms ;  and  having  stated  the  purpose  of  the  meeting, 
the  service  begins : 

Master.  "What  man  is  he  that  liveth,  and  shall  not 
see  death  ?  Shall  he  deliver  his  soul  from  the  hand 
of  the  grave?" 

Response.  "Man  walketh  in  a  vain  shadow;  he 
heapeth  up  riches,  and  cannot  tell  who  shall  gather 
them." 

Master.  "When  he  dieth  he  shall  carry  nothing 
away;  his  glory  shall  not  descend  after  him." 


118  PAST   MASTER. 

Response.     "Naked  he  came  into  the  world,  and 
naked  he  must  return.'* 

Master.     "The  Lord  gave  and  the  Lord  hath  taken 
away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord." 

The  Master  then  taking  the  roll  in  his  hand,  says — 

"Let  us  live  and  die  like  the  righteous,  and  our  last 
nd  shall  be  like  his !" 

The  Brethren  answer — "God  is  our  God  forever  and 
ever;  he  will  be  our  guide  even  unto  death!" 

The  Master  then  records  the  name  and  age  of  the 
deceased  upon  the  roll,  and  says — 

"Almighty  Father  !  in  thy  hands  we  leave,  with 
humble  submission,  the  soul  of  our  deceased  brother." 

The  brethren  answer  three  times — 

"The  will  of  God  is  accomplished!     So  be  it." 

The  Master  then  deposits  the  roll  in  the  archives, 
and  repeats  the  following  Prayer : 

"Most  glorious  God!  author  of  all  good,  and  giver 
of  all  mercy,  pour  down  thy  blessings  upon  us,  and 
strengthen  our  solemn  engagements  with  the  ties  of 
sincere  affection !  May  the  present  instance  of  mor 
tality  remind  us  of  our  approaching  fate,  and  draw  our 
attention  toward  thee,  the  only  refuge  in  time  of  need ; 
that  when  the  awful  moment  shall  arrive,  when  we  are 
about  to  quit  this  transitory  scene,  the  enlivening  pros 
pect  of  thy  mercy  may  dispel  the  gloom  of  death ;  and 
after  our  departure  hence  in  peace,  and  in  thy  favor, 
may  we  be  received  into  thy  everlasting  kingdom,  to 
enjoy,  in  union  with  the  souls  of  our  departed  friends, 
the  just  reward  of  a  pious  and  virtuous  life.  Amen." 


PAST   MASTER.  119 

A  procession  is  then  formed,  which  moves  to  the 
house  of  the  deceased,  and  thence  to  the  place  of  in 
terment. 

Order  of  Procession  at  a  Funeral. 

Tyler  with  a  drawn  sword ; 

Stewards  with  white  rods ; 

Musicians,  (if  they  are  Masons,  otherwise  they  precede 

the  Tyler;) 
Master  Masons ; 
^      Senior  and  Junior  Deacons: 

(0 

%          Secretary  and  Treasurer; 
£L      Senior  and  Junior  Wardens ; 
Mark  Masters; 
Past  Masters ; 
Koyal  Arch  Masons ; 

Select  Masters  ; 
Knights  Templars; 

The  Holy  Writings  on  a  cushion,  covered  with  black 
cloth,  carried  by  the  oldest  (or  some  suit 
able)  member  of  the  Lodge  ; 
The  Master; 

Clergy; 
The   Body,  with  the     0B     insignia  placed  thereon. 


Pall  Bearers.         i£iM         Pall  Bearers. 


120  PAST   MASTER. 

When  the  procession  arrives  at  the  church-yard,  the 
members  of  the  Lodge  form  a  circle  round  the  grave ; 
and  the  clergyman  and  officers  of  the  Lodge  take  their 
station  at  the  head  of  the  grave,  and  the  mourners  at 
the  foot.  The  service  is  resumed,  and  the  following 
Exhortation  is  given  by  the  Master : 

"  BRETHREN — Here  we  view  a  striking  instance  of 
the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  the  vanity  of  all  human 
pursuits.  The  last  offices  paid  to  the  dead,  are  only 
useful  as  lectures  to  the  living; — from  them  we  are  to 
derive  instruction,  and  to  consider  every  solemnity  of 
this  kind  as  a  summons  to  prepare  for  our  approaching 
dissolution. 

"Notwithstanding  the  various  mementos  of  mortality 
with  which  we  daily  meet;  notwithstanding  Death  has 
established  his  empire  over  all  the  works  of  nature ; 
yet,  through  some  unaccountable  infatuation,  we  forget 
that  we  are  born  to  die ;  we  go  on  from  one  design  to 
another,  add  hope  to  hope,  and  lay  our  plans  for  the 
employment  of  many  years,  till  we  are  suddenly  alarmed 
with  the  approach  of  Death  when  we  least  expect  him, 
and  at  an  hour  which  we  probably  conclude  to  be  the 
meridian  of  our  existence. 

"What  are  all  the  externals  of  majesty,  the  pride  of 
wealth,  or  charms  of  beauty,  when  Nature  has  paid 
her  just  debt?  Fix  your  eyes  on  the  last  scene,  and 
view  life  stript  of  her  ornaments  and  exposed  in  her 
natural  meanness ;  you  will  then  be  convinced  of  the 
futility  of  those  empty  delusions.  In  the  grave  all 


PAST   MASTER.  121 

fallacies  are  detected,  all  ranks  are  leveled,  and  all 
distinctions  are  done  away. 

"When  we  view  this  narrow  house,  about  to  be 
occupied  by  the  body  of  our  deceased  brother,  we  feel 
a  momentary  contraction  of  the  heart,  a  mournful  pre 
sage  that  here,  too,  the  evening  of  our  days  must  soon 
be  closed,  and  the  tear  of  affection  that  trembles  to-day 
upon  another's  tomb  must  soon  be  transferred  to  ours. 
These  become  strong  incentives  to  a  well  regulated  life ; 
and  when  the  whispers  of  conscience  plead  in  vain  with 
our  unsubdued  passions,  the  grave,  that  universal 
monitor,  informs  us  this  must  be  our  final  destination. 

"While  we  drop  the  sympathetic  tear  over  the  grave 
of  our  deceased  friend,  let  charity  incline  us  to  throw 
a  veil  over  his  foibles,  whatever  they  may  have  been, 
and  not  withhold  from  his  memory  the  -praise  that  his 
virtues  may  have  claimed.  Suffer  the  apologies  of 
human  nature  to  plead  in  his  behalf.  Perfection  on 
earth  has  never  been  attained ;  the  wisest,  as  well  as 
the  best  of  men,  have  erred. 

"Let  the  present  example  excite  our  most  serious 
thoughts,  and  strengthen  our  resolutions  of  amendment. 
As  life  is  uncertain,  and  all  earthly  pursuits  are  vain, 
let  us  no  longer  postpone  the  all-important  concern  of 
preparing  for  eternity ;  but  embrace  the  happy  moment, 
while  time  and  opportunity  offer,  to  provide  against  the 
great  change,  when  all  the  pleasures  of  this  world  shall 
cease  to  delight,  and  the  reflections  of  a  virtuous  and 
ho1  j  life  yield  the  only  comfort  and  consolation.  Thus 


122  PAST  MASTER. 

our  expectations  will  not  be  frustrated,  nor  we  hurried 
unprepared  into  the  presence  of  an  all-wise  and  pow 
erful  Judge,  to  whom  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  are  known. 
"Let  us,  while  in  this  state  of  existence,  support  with 
propriety  the  character  of  our  profession,  advert  to  the 
nature  of  our  solemn  ties,  and  pursue  with  assiduity 
the  sacred  tenets  of  our  order.  Then,  with  becoming: 

O 

reverence,  let  us  seek  the  favor  of  the  ETERNAL  GOD, 
so  that  when  the  awful  moment  of  death  arrives,  be  it 
soon  or  late,  we  may  be  enabled  to  prosecute  our 
journey  without  dread  or  apprehension,  to  that  far  dis 
tant  country,  whence  no  traveller  returns." 

The  following  invocations  are  then  made  by  the 
Master : 

Master.  "May  we  be  true  and  faithful,  and  may 
we  live  and  die  in  love !" 

Response.     "So  mote  it  be." 

Master.  "May  we  profess  what  is  good,  and  always 
act  agreeably  to  our  profession!" 

Response.     "So  mote  it  be." 

Master.  "  May  the  Lord  bless  us  and  prosper  us, 
and  may  all  our  good  intentions  be  crowned  with  suc 
cess  !" 

Response.     "  So  mote  it  be." 

Master.  "  Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest;  on  earth 
peace!  good  will  towards  men!" 

Response.  "So  mote  it  be,  now,  from  henceforth, 
and  for  evermore.  Amen. 


PAST   MASTER.  123 

The  apron  is  taken  off  from  the  coffin  and  handed  to 
the  Master— the  coffin  is  deposited  in  the  grave— and 
the  Master  says : 

This  Lamb  skin,  or  white  Apron,  is  an  emblem  of 
Innocence  and  the  badge  of  a  Mason,  more  ancient  than 
the  golden  fleece  or  Roman  eagle ;  and  when  worthily 
worn,  more  honorable  than  the  star  and  garter.  [The 
Master  then  deposits  it  in  the  grave.'}  This  emblem  I 
now  deposit  in  the  grave  of  our  deceased  Brother.  By 
this  we  are  reminded  of  the  universal  dominion  of 
Death.  The  arm  of  friendship  cannot  oppose  the  King 
of  Terrors,  nor  the  charms  of  innocence  elude  his  grasp. 
This  grave,  that  coffin,  this  circle  of  mourning  friends, 
remind  us  that  we  too  are  mortal :  soon  shall  our 
bodies  moulder  to  dust.  Then  how  important  for  us 
that  we  should  know  that  our  REDEEMER  liveth,  and 
that  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  upon  the  Earth. 
[  The  Master,  holding  the  evergreen  in  his  hand,  continues.'} 
This  evergreen  is  an  emblem  of  our  faith  in  the  immor 
tality  of  the  soul.  By  this  we  are  reminded  that  we 
have  an  immortal  part  within  us  which  shall  survive 
the  grave,  and  which  shall  never,  never,  never  die. 
Though  like  our  Brother,  whose  remains  now  lie  before 
us,  we  shall  soon  be  clothed  in  the  habiliments  of  DEATH 
and  be  deposited  in  the  silent  tomb,  yet  through  the 
mediation  of  a  divine  and  ascended  Saviour,  we  may 
confidently  hope  that  our  souls  will  bloom  in  Eternal 
Spring. 


124  PAST   MASTER. 

The  brethren  then  move  in  procession  round  the 
place  of  interment,  and  severally  drop  the  sprig  of 
evergreen  into  the  grave ;  after  which,  the  public  grand 
honors  are  given. 

The  Master  then  continues  the  ceremony  at  the 
grave,  in  the  following  words : 

"FRIENDS  AND  FELLOW  CITIZENS: — From  time  im 
memorial  it  has  been  the  custom  among  the  Fraternity 
of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons,  at  the  request  of  a 
brother,  to  accompany  his  corpse  to  the  place  of  inter 
ment,  and  there  to  deposit  his  remains  with  the  usual 
formalities. 

"In  conformity  to  this  usage,  and  at  the  special 
request  of  our  deceased  brother,  whose  memory  we 
revere,  and  whose  loss  we  now  deplore,  we  have  as 
sembled  in  the  character  of  Masons,  to  resign  his  body 
to  the  earth  whence  it  came,  and  to  offer  up  to  his 
memory,  before  the  world,  the  last  tribute  of  our  affec 
tion  ;  thereby  demonstrating  the  sincerity  of  our  past 
esteem,  and  our  steady  attachment  to  the  principles  of 
the  Order. 

"The  Great  Creator  having  been  pleased,  out  of 
his  mercy,  to  remove  our  brother  from  the  cares  and 
troubles  of  a  transitory  existence,  to  a  state  of  eternal 
duration,  and  thereby  to  weaken  the  chain  by  which 
we  are  united  man  to  man;  may  we  who  survive  him, 
anticipate  our  approaching  fate,  and  be  more  strongly 
cemented  in  the  ties  of  union  and  friendship;  that,  during 


PAST  MASTER.  125 

the  sliort  space  allotted  to  our  present  existence,  we 
may  wisely  and  usefully  employ  our  time ;  and,  in  the 
reciprocal  intercourse  of  kind  and  friendly  acts,  mutually 
promote  the  welfare  and  happiness  of  each  other. 

"Unto  the  grave  we  resign  the  body  of  our  deceased 
friend,  there  to  remain  until  the  general  resurrection, 
in  favorable  expectation  that  his  immortal  soul  may 
partake  of  joys  which  have  been  prepared  for  the 
righteous  from  the  beginning  of  the  world.  And  may 
Almighty  God,  of  his  infinite  goodness,  at  the  grand 
tribunal  of  unbiassed  justice,  extend  his  mercy  towards 
him,  and  all  of  us,  and  crown  our  hope  with  everlasting 
bliss  in  the  expanded  realms  of  a  boundless  eternity ! 
This  we  beg,  for  the  honor  of  his  name ;  to  whom  be 
glory,  now  and  forever.  Amen." 

The  procession  then  returns  in  form  to  the  place 
whence  it  set  out,  where  the  necessary  duties  are 
complied  with,  and  the  Lodge  is  closed  in  the  third 
degree. 

NOTE.  If  the  Grand  Master  attends,  and  presides  at 
any  ceremony,  it  is  said  to  be  performed  in  AMPLE  FORM  ; 
if  a  subordinate  officer  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  in  DUE  FORM  ; 
if  vested  in  the  Master  of  a  subordinate  Lodge,  in  FORM. 


126         MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER. 

CHAPTER  III. 

MOST    EXCELLENT    MASTER'S    DEGREE. 

NONE  but  the  meritorious  and  praiseworthy;  none 
but  those  who,  through  diligence  and  industry,  have 
progressed  far  towards  perfection  and  passed  the  chair, 
can  be  admitted  to  this  degree  of  masonry. 

When  the  temple  of  Jerusalem  was  finished,  and  the 
cap-stone  celebrated  with  great  joy,  King  Solomon 
admitted  to  this  degree  only  those  who  had  proved 
themselves  worthy,  by  their  virtue,  skill,  and  inflexible 
fidelity  to  the  Craft.  The  duties  incumbent  on  a  Most 
Excellent  Master  are  such,  that  he  should  have  a  per 
fect  knowledge  of  all  the  preceding  degrees. 

The  following  Psalm  is  read  at  opening : 

"  The  earth  is  the  Lord's,  and  the  fulness  thereof ; 
the  world,  and  they  that  dwell  therein.  For  he  hath 
founded  it  upon  the  seas,  and  established  it  upon  the 
floods.  Who  shall  ascend  into  the  hill  of  the  Lord  ? 
or  who  shall  stand  in  his  holy  place?  He  that  hath 
clean  hands  and  a  pure  heart;  who  hath  not  lifted  up 
his  soul  unto  vanity,  nor  sworn  deceitfully.  He  shall 
receive  the  blessing  from  the  Lord,  and  righteousness 
from  the  God  of  his  salvation.  This  is  the  generation 
of  them  that  seek  him,  that  seek  thy  face,  0  Jacob : 
Selah.  Lift  up  your  heads,  0  ye  gates :  and  be  ye  lift 


MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER.         127 

up,  ye  everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall 
come  in.  Who  is  this  King  of  Glory?  The  Lord 
strong  and  mighty,  the  Lord  mighty  in  battle.  Lift 
up  your  heads,  0  ye  gates;  even  lift  them  up,  ye 
everlasting  doors,  and  the  King  of  Glory  shall  come 
in,  Who  is  this  King  of  Glory?  The  Lord  of  Hosts, 
he  is  the  King  of  Glory.  Selah." — Psalm  xxiv. 

The  following  Psalm  is  read  during  the  ceremony 
of  receiving  a  candidate  in  this  degree : 

"I  was  glad  when  they  said  unto  me,  Let  us  go  into 
the  house  of  the  Lord.  Our  feet  shall  stand  within 
thy  gates,  0  Jerusalem.  Jerusalem  is  builded  as  a 
city  that  is  compact  together :  whither  the  tribes  go  up, 
the  tribes  of  the  Lord,  unto  the  testimony  of  Israel,  to 
give  thanks  unto  the  name  of  the  Lord.  For  there  are 
set  thrones  of  judgment,  the  thrones  of  the  house  of 
David. 

"Pray  for  the  peace  of  Jerusalem:  they  shall  pros 
per  that  love  thee.  Peace  be  within  thy  walls,  and 
prosperity  within  thy  palaces.  For  my  brethren  and 
companions'  sakes,  I  will  now  say,  Peace  be  within 
thee.  Because  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  our  God,  I 
will  seek  thy  good." — Psalm  cxxii. 


128          MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER. 

The  following  song  is  sung  with  solemn  ceremony 


MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER'S  SONG. 

Andante  Moderate. 


ALL  hail  to    the      morn-ingr,    That  bids  us  re- 


ALL  hail  to    the     morn-ing,    That  bids  us    re- 


joice  ;  The  tem-ple's      com  -  pie-ted,  Ex  -  alt  high  each  voice; 


joice  ;  The   tem-ple'e    com-ple-tcd,  Ex  -  alt  high  each  voice  ; 

~i ! T 


28 


MOST    EXCELLENT  MASTER, 


129 


, Cres. 


The     cap-stone  is    finish'd,  Our    la    -   bor       is    o'er 


The     capstone  is        finish'd,  Our       lab  -  or     is    o'er; 


The   sound   of   the     ga-vel    shall      hail  us  no  more. 


The  sound    of   the      ga-vel    shall      hail  us  no  more. 


fife 


To  the    Pow-er  Al-migh-ty,  who  ev-er  has      gui  -  ded 


To  the   Pow-er  Al-migh-ty,    who  ev-er  has       gui  -  ded 


130 


MOST   EXCELLENT   MASTER. 


The  tribes  of  old  Is  -  rael,    ex  -  alt  -  ing    their  fame; 

r 


The  tribes  of  old   Is  -  rael,  ex  -  alt  -  ing    their  fame  ; 


To  Him,  who  hath  govern'd  our  hearts  un    -    di-vidcd, 


To  Him,  who  hath  govern'd  our  hearts  u\\  -  di-vided, 


Let's  send  forth  our  voi-ces  to  praise  his  great  Name. 


"^11.  —       —  ] { 


Let's  send  forth  our  voi-ces  to  praise  his  great  Name. 


MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER.         131 

Companions  assemble 
On  this  joyful  day; 
The  occasion  is  glorious, 
The  key-stone  to  lay : 
Fulfill'd  is  the  promise, 

By  the  ANCIENT  OF  DAYS, 
To  bring  forth  the  cap-stone 
With  shouting  and  praise. 

[Ceremonies.] 

There  is  no  more  occasion  for  level  or  plumb-line, 
For  trowel  or  gavel,  for  compass  or  square : 
Our  works  are  completed,  the  ark  safely  seated, 
And  we  shall  be  greeted  as  workmen  most  rare. 
Now  those  who  are  worthy, 

Our  toils  who  have  shar'd, 
And  prov'd  themselves  faithful, 

Shall  meet  their  reward ; 
Their  virtue  and  knowledge, 

Industry  and  skill, 
Have  our  approbation, 

Have  gain'd  our  good  will. 

"We  accept  and  receive  them,  Most  Excellent  Masters, 
Invested  with  honors,  and  power  to  preside ; 
Among  worthy  crafts-men,  wherever  assembled, 
The  knowledge  of  Masons  to  spread  far  and  wide. 
ALMIGHTY  JEHOVAH ! 

Descend  now  and  fill 
This  Lodge  with  thy  glory, 
Our  hearts  with  good  will ! 


132         MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER. 

Preside  at  our  meetings, 

Assist  us  to  find 
True  pleasure  in  teaching 
Good  will  to  mankind. 
Thy  wisdom  inspired  the  great  institution, 
Thy  strength  shall  support  it  till  nature  expire; 
Anil  when  the  creation  shall  fall  into  ruin, 
Its  beauty  shall  rise  through  the  midst  of  the  fire  I 


The  following  passages  of  Scripture  are  also  intro 
duced,  accompanied  with  solemn  ceremonies : 

Then  said  Solomon,  The  Lord  hath  said  that  he 
would  dwell  in  the  thick  darkness.  But  I  have  built 
a  house  of  habitation  for  thee,  and  a  place  for  thy 
dwelling  for  ever. 

And  the  kino-  turned  his  face,  and  blessed  the  whole 
cono-regation  of  Israel:  and  all  the  congregation  of 
Israel  stood.  And  he  said,  Blessed  be  the  Lord  God 
of  Israel,  who  hath  with  his  hands  fulfilled  that  which 


MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER.         133 

he  spake  with  his  mouth  to  my  father  David,  saying, 
Since  the  day  that  I  brought  forth  my  people  out  of 
the  land  of  Egypt,  I  chose  no  city  among  all  the  tribes 
of  Israel  to  build  a  house  in,  that  my  name  might  be 
there ;  neither  chose  I  any  man  to  be  a  ruler  over  my 
people  Israel :  but  I  have  chosen  Jerusalem,  that  my 
name  might  be  there;  and  have  chosen  David  to  be 
over  my  people  Israel. 

Now  it  was  in  the  heart  of  David  my  father  to  build 
a  house  for  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel.  But 
the  Lord  said  to  David  my  father,  Forasmuch  as  it 
was  in  thy  heart  to  build  a  house  for  my  name,  thou 
didst  well  in  that  it  was  in  thy  heart ;  notwithstanding, 
thou  shalt  not  build  the  house ;  but  thy  son  which  shall 
come  forth  out  of  thy  loins,  he  shall  build  the  house 
for  my  name.  The  Lord  therefore  hath  performed  his 
word  that  he  hath  spoken ;  for  I  am  risen  up  in  the 
room  of  David  my  father,  and  am  set  on  the  throne  -of 
Israel,  as  the  Lord  promised,  and  have  built  the  house 
for  the  name  of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel.  And  in  it 
have  I  put  the  ark,  wherein  is  the  covenant  of  the  Lord, 
that  he  made  with  the  children  of  Israel. 

And  he  stood  before  the  altar  of  the  Lord,  in  the 
presence  of  all  the  congregation  of  Israel,  and  spread 
forth  his  hands :  (for  Solomon  had  made  a  brazen 
scaffold  of  five  cubits  long,  and  five  cubits  broad,  and 
three  cubits  high,  and  had  set  it  in  the  midst  of  the 
court ;  and  upon  it  he  stood,  and  kneeled  down  upon 
his  knees  before  all  the  congregation  of  Israel,  and 
spread  forth  his  hands  towards  heaven,) and  said, 

0  Lord  God  of  Israel,  there  is  no  God  like  thee  in 
the  heaven,  nor  in  the  earth ;  which  keepest  covenant, 
and  shewest  mercy  unto  thy  servants  that  walk  before 
thee  with  all  their  hearts :  thou  which  hast  kept  with 
thy  servant  David  my  father  that  which  thou  hast 


134  MOST    EXCELLENT  MASTER. 

promised  him;  and  spakest  with  thy  mouth,  and  hast 
fulfilled  it  with  thine  hand,  as  it  is  this  day.  Now 
therefore,  0  Lord  God  of  Israel,  keep  with  thy  servant 
David  my  father  that  which  thou  hast  promised  him, 
saying,  There  shall  not  fail  thee  a  man  in  my  sight  to 
sit  upon  the  throne  of  Israel;  yet  so  that  thy  children 
take  heed  to  their  way,  to  walk  in  my  law,  as  thou 
hast  walked  before  me.  Now  then,  0  Lord  God  of 
Israel,  let  thy  w^ord  be  verified,  which  thou  hast  spoken 
unto  thy  servant  David.  But,  will  God  in  very  deed 
dwell  writh  men  on  the  earth?  Behold,  heaven  and 
the  heaven  of  heavens  cannot  contain  thee ;  how  much 
less  this  house  which  I  have  built!  Have  respect 
therefore  to  the  prayer  of  thy  servant  and  to  his  sup 
plication,  0  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry 
and  the  prayer  which  thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee : 
that  thine  eyes  may  be  open  upon  this  house  day  and 
night,  upon  the  place  whereof  thou  hast  said  that  thou 
wrouldst  put  thy  name  there;  to  hearken  unto  the 
prayer  which  thy  servant  prayeth  towards  this  place. 

Hearken  therefore  unto. the  supplications  of  thy  ser 
vant,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  which  they  shall  make 
toward  this  place :  hear  thou  from  thy  dwelling  place, 
even  from  heaven ;  and  when  thou  hearest,  forgive. 

Now  when  Solomon  had  made  an  end  of  praying, 
the  fire  came  down  from  heaven,  and  consumed  the 
burnt-offering  and  the  sacrifices ;  and  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  filled  the  house.  And  the  priests  could  not  enter 
into  the  house  of  the  Lord,  because  the  glory  of  the 
Lord  had  filled  the  Lord's  house. 

And  when  all  the  children  of  Israel  saw  how  the 
fire  came  down,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  upon  the 
house,  they  bowed  themselves  with  their  faces  to  the 
ground'  upon  the  pavement,  and  worshipped,  and 
praised  the  Lord,  saying,  For  he  is  good;  for  his 
mercy  endureth  for  ever. — 2  Chronicles  vi.  vii. 


MOST  EXCELLENT  MASTER.          135 

CHAR  GEto  a  Brother  who  is  received  and  acknowledged 
as  a  Most  Excellent  Master. 

BROTHER :. — Your  admittance  to  this  degree  of  ma 
sonry,  is  a  proof  of  the  good  opinion  the  brethren  of 
this  Lodge  entertain  of  your  masonic  abilities.  Let 
this  consideration  induce  you  to  be  careful  of  forfeiting, 
by  misconduct  and  inattention  to  our  rules,  that  esteem 
which  has  raised  you  to  the  rank  you  now  possess. 

It,  is  one  of  your  great  duties  as  a  Most  Excellent 
Master,  to  dispense  light  and  truth  to  the  uninformed 
Mason ;  and  I  need  not  remind  you  of  the  impossibility 
of  complying  with  this  obligation,  without  possessing 
an  accurate  acquaintance  with  the  lectures  of  each 
degree. 

If  you  are  not  already  completely  conversant  in  all 
the  degrees  heretofore  conferred  on  you,  remember 
that  an  indulgence,  prompted  by  a  belief  that  you  will 
apply  yourself  with  double  diligence  to  make  yourself 
so,  has  induced  the  brethren  to  accept  you. 

Let  it  therefore  be  your  unremitting  study,  to  acquire 
such  a  degree  of  knowledge  and  information,  as  shall 
enable  you  to  discharge  with  propriety,  the  various 
duties  incumbent  on  you,  and  to  preserve  unsullied  the 
title  now  conferred  upon  you,  of  a  MOST  EXCEL 
LENT  MASTER. 

The  following  Psalm  is  read  at  closing: 

"  The  Lord  is  my  shepherd;  I  shall  not  want.  He 
maketh  me  to  lie  down  in  green  pasture :  he  leadeth 
me  beside  the  still  waters.  He  restoreth  my  soul:  he 


136  ROYAL    ARCH. 

leadeth  me  in  the  paths  of  righteousness  for  his  name's 
sake.  Yea,  though  I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the 
shadow  of  death,  I  will  fear  no  evil :  for  thou  art  with 
me;  thy  rod  and  thy  staff  they  comfort  me.  Thou 
preparest  a  table  before  me  in  the  presence  of  mine 
enemies :  thou  anointest  my  head  with  oil ;  my  cup 
runneth  over.  Surely  goodness  and  mercy  shall  follow 
me  all  the  days  of  my  life :  aud  I  will  dwell  in  the 
house  of  the  Lord  for  ever." — Psalm  xxiii. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

ROYAL    ARCH    DEGREE. 

THIS  degree  is  more  august,  sublime  and  important, 
than  all  which  precede  it.  It  impresses  on  our  minds 
a  belief  of  the  being  and  existence  of  the  Supreme 
Grand  Hi^h  Priest  of  our  Salvation,  who  is  without 

O 

beginning  of  days  or  end  of  years ;  and  forcibly  reminds 
us  of  the  reverence  due  his  Holy  Name. 

In  this  degree  is  brought  to  light  many  essentials 
which  are  of  importance  to  the  craft,  that  were  concealed 
in  darkness  for  the  space  of  four  hundred  and  seventy 
years ;  and  without  a  knowledge  of  which,  the  masonic 
character  cannot  be  complete. 


ROYAL    ARCH.  137 

Section  First. 

This  section  explains  the  mode  of  government  in  this 
degree ;  it  designates  the  appellation,  number  and  situ 
ation  of  the  several  officers,  and  points  out  the  purpose 
and  duty  of  their  respective  stations.  The  various 
colors  of  their  banners  arp  designated ;  and  the  morals 
to  which  they  allude  are  introduced  and  explained. 

The  following  exhortation  is  read  at  opening  : 

"Now  we  command  you,  brethren,  that  ye  withdraw 
yourselves  from  every  brother  that  walketh  disorderly, 
and  not  after  the  tradition  which  ye  received  of  us. 
For  yourselves  know  how  ye  ought  to  follow  us :  for 
we  behaved  not  ourselves  disorderly  among  you ; 
neither  did  we  eat  any  man's  bread  for  nought;  but 
wrought  with  labor  and  travail  night  and  day,  that  we 
might  not  be  chargeable  to  any  of  you :  not  because 
we  have  not  power,  but  to  make  ourselves  an  example 
unto  you  to  follow  us.  For  even  when  we  were  with 
you,  this  we  commanded  you,  that  if  any  would  not 
work,  neither  should  he  eat.  For  we  hear  that  there 
are  some  which  walk  among  you  disorderly,  working 
not  at  all,  but  are  busy  bodies.  Now  them  that  are 
such  we  command  and  exhort,  that  with  quietness  they 
work,  and  eat  their  own  bread.  But  ye,  brethren,  be 
not  weary  in  well-doing.  And  if  any  man  obey  not 
our  word  by  this  epistle,  note  that  man,  and  have  no 
company  with  him,  that  he  may  be  ashamed.  Yet 
count  him  not  as  an  enemy,  but  admonish  him  as  a 
brother.  Now  the  Lord  of  Peace  himself  give  you 
peace  always  by  all  means.  The  Lord  be  with  you  all. 


138  ROYAL   ARCH. 

Section  Second. 

This  section  contains  much  valuable  historical  infor 
mation,  and  exhibits  to  our  view,  in  striking  colors,  that 
prosperity  and  happiness  are  ever  the  ultimate  conse 
quences  of  virtue  and  justice ;  while  disgrace  and  ruin 
invariably  follow  the  practice  of  vice  and  immorality. 

The  following  charges  and  passages  of  Scripture  are 
introduced  during  the  ceremony  of  exaltation : 

"  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  they  know  not;  I 
will  lead  them  in  paths  that  they  have  not  known;  I 
will  make  darkness  light  before  them,  and  crooked 
things  straight.  These  things  will  I  do  unto  them, 
and  not  forsake  them." — Isaiah  xlii.  16. 

Prayer  used  at  the  exaltation  of  a  Royal  Arch  Mason. 

"0  thou  eternal  and  omnipotent  JEHOVAH,  the 
glorious  and  everlasting  I  AM  ;  permit  us,  thy  frail, 
dependent  and  needy  creatures,  in  the  name  of  our  Most 
Excellent  and  Supreme  High  Priest,  to  approach  thy 
divine  majesty.  And  do  thou,  who  sittest  between  tJie 
Cherubim,  incline  thine  ear  to  the  voice  of  our  praises, 
and  of  our  supplication  ;  and  vouchsafe  to  commune 
with  us  from  off  the  mercy  seat.  We  humbly  adore 
and  worship  thy  unspeakable  perfections,  and  thy  un 
bounded  goodness  and  benevolence.  We  bless  thee, 
that  when  man  had  sinned  and  fallen  from  his  innocence 
and  happiness,  thou  didst  still  leave  unto  him  the 
powers  of  reasoning,  and  the  capacity  of  improvement 
and  of  pleasure.  We  adore  thee,  that  amidst  the  pains 
and  calamities  of  our  present  state,  so  many  means  of 
refreshment  and  satisfaction  are  afforded  us,  while 
travelling  the  rugged  path  of  life.  And  0,  thou  who 


ROYAL   ARCH.  139 

didst  aforetime  appear  unto  thy  servant  Moses  in  a 
flame  of  fire,  out  of  the.  midst  of  a  bush,  enkindle,  we 
beseech  thee,  in  each  of  our  hearts,  a  flame  of  devotion 
to  thee,  of  love  to  each  other,  and  of  benevolence  and 
charity  to  all  mankind.  May  the  veils  of  ignorance 
and  blindness  be  removed  from  the  eyes  of  our  under 
standings,  that  we  may  behold  and  adore  thy  mighty 
and  wondrous  works.  May  the  rod  and  staff  of  thy 
grace  and  power  continually  support  us,  and  defend  us 
from  the  rage  of  all  our  enemies,  >and  especially  from 
the  subtilty  and  malice  of  that  old  serpent,  who  with 
cruel  vigilance  seeketh  our  ruin.  May  the  leprosy  of 
sin  be  eradicated  from  our  bosoms;  and  may  Holiness 
to  the  Lord  be  engraven  upon  all  our  thoughts,  words, 
and  actions.  May  the  incense  of  piety  ascend  contin 
ually  unto  thee,  from  off  the  altar  of  our  hearts,  and 
burn  day  and  night  as  a  sweet-smelling  savor  unto  thee. 
May  we  daily  search  the  records  of  truth,  that  we  may 
be  more  and  more  instructed  in  our  duty ;  and  may  we 
share  the  blessedness  of  those  who  hear  the  sacred  word, 
and  keep  it.  And  finally,  0  merciful  Father,  when  we 
shall  have  passed  through  the  outward  veils  of  these 
earthly  courts;  when  the  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
shall  be  dissolved,  may  we  be  admitted  into  the  Holy 
of  Holies  above,  into  the  presence  of  the  Grand  Council 
of  heaven,  where  the  Supreme  High  Priest  for  ever 
presides,  for  ever  reigns.  Amen.  So  niote  it  be." 


140 


ROYAL    ARCH. 


"Now  Moses  kept  the  flock  of  Jethro  his  father- 
in-law,  the  priest  of  Midian ;  and  lie  led  the  flock  to 
the  back  side  of  the  desert,  and  came  to  the  mountain 
of  God,  even  to  Horeb.  And  the  angel  of  the  Lord 
appeared  unto  him  in  a  flame  of  fire,  out  of  the  midst 
of  a  bush ;  and  he  looked,  and  behold  the  bush  burned 
with  fire,  and  the  bush  was  not  consumed.  And  Moses 
said,  I  will  now  turn  aside,  and  see  this  g%reat  sight, 
why  the  bush  is  not  burnt. 

"And  when  the  Lord  saw  that  he  turned  aside  to 
see,  God  called  unto  him  out  of  the  midst  of  the  bush, 
and  said  Moses,  Moses.  And  he  said,  Here  am  I. 
And  he  said,  Draw  not  nigh  hither ;  put  off  thy  shoes 
from  off  thy  feet,  for  the  place  whereon  thou  standest 
is  holy  ground.  Moreover  he  said,  1  am  the  God  of 
thy  father,  the  God  of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac, 


ROYAL   ARCH.  141 

and  the  God  of  Jacob.  And  Moses  hid  his  face ;  for 
he  was  afraid  to  look  upon  God." — Exodus  iii.  1-6. 

"Zedekiah  was  one  and  twenty  years  old  when  he 
began  to  reign,  and  reigned  eleven  years  in  Jerusalem. 
And  he  did  that  which  was  evil  m  the  sight  of  the 
Lord  his  God,  and  humbled  not  himself  before  Jeremiah 
the  prophet,  speaking  from  the  mouth  of  the  Lord. 
And  he  also  rebelled  against  king  Nebuchadnezzar: 
and  stiffened  his  neck,  and  hardened  his  heart  from 
turning  unto-the  Lord  God  of  Israel.  Moreover,  all  of 
the  chief  of  the  priests,  and  the  people,  transgressed 
very  much  after  all  the  abominations  of  the  heathen  ; 
and  polluted  the  house  of  the  Lord  which  he  had  hal 
lowed  in  Jerusalem.  And  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers 
sent  to  them  by  his  messengers,  because  he  had  com 
passion  on  his  people,  and  on  his  dwelling  place :  But 
they  mocked  the  messengers  of  God,  and  despised  his 
words,  and  misused  his  prophets,  until  the  wrath  of 
the  Lord  arose  against  his  people,  till  there  was  no 
remedy.  Therefore  he  brought  upon  them  the  king 
of  the  Chaldees,  who  slew  their  young  men  with  the 
sword  in  the  house  of  their  sanctuary,  and  had  no 
compassion  upon  young  man  or  maiden,  old  man,  or 
him  that  stooped  for  age :  he  gave  them  all  into  his 
hand.  And  all  the  vessels  of  the  house  of  God,  great 
and  small,  and  the  treasures  of  the  king  and  of  his 
princes ;  all  these  he  brought  to  Babylon.^ 

"And  they  burned  the  house  of  God,  and  brake 
down  the  wall  of  Jerusalem,  and  burned  all  the  palaces 
thereof  with  fire,  and  destroyed  all  the  goodly  vessels 
thereof.  And  them  that  had  escaped  from  the  sword 
carried  he  away  to  Babylon :  where  they  were  servants 
to  him  and  his  sons  until  the  reign  of  the  kingdom  of 
Persia." — 2  Ohron.  xxxvi.  11-20.  *  *  "* 

"Now  in  the  first  year  of  Cyrus  king  of  Persia,  that 


142  ROYAL  ARCH. 

the  word  of  the  Lord  by  the  mouth  of  Jeremiah  might 
be  fulfilled,  the  Lord  stirred  up  the  spirit  of  Cyrus  king 
of  Persia,  that  he  made  a  proclamation  throughout  all 
his  kingdom,  and  put  it  also  in  writing,  saying,  Thus 
saith  Cyrus  king  of  Persia,  The  Lord  God  of  heaven 
hath  given  me  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  earth ;  and  ho 
hath  charged  me  to  build  him  a  house  at  Jerusalem, 
which  is  in  Judah.  Who  is  there  among  you  of  all 
his  people  ?  His  God  be  with  him,  and  let  him  go  up 
to  Jerusalem,  which  is  in  Judah,  and  build  the  house 
of  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  which  is  in  Jerusalem." — 

Ezra  i.  1-3. 

"And  Moses  said  unto  God,  Behold,  when  I  come 
unto  the  children  of  Israel,  and  shall  say  unto  them, 
The  God  of  your  fathers  hath  sent  me  unto  you ;  and 
they  shall  say  unto  me,  What  is  his  name  ?  What 
shall  I  say  unto  them  ? 

"And  God  said  unto  Moses,  I  AM  THAT  I  AM: 
and  he  said,  Thus  shalt  thou  say  unto  the  children 
of  Israel,  I  AM  hath  sent  me  unto  you." — Exodus  iii. 
13,  14.  *  *  *  *  * 

"Lord  I  cry  unto  thee:  make  haste  unto  me;  give 
ear  unto  my  voice.  Let  my  prayer  be  set  forth  before 
thee  as  incense,  and  the  lifting  up  of  my  hands  as  the 
evening  sacrifice.  Set  a  watch,  0  Lord,  before  my 
mouth ;  keep  the  door  of  my  lips.  Incline  not  my 
heart  to  any  evil  thing,  to  practice  wicked  works  with 
men  that  work  iniquity.  Let  the  righteous  smite  me, 
it  shall  be  a  kindness ;  let  him  reprove  me,  it  shall  be 
an  excellent  oil.  Mine  eyes  are  unto  thee,  0  God  the 
Lord;  in  thee  is  my  trust;  leave  not  my  soul  destitute. 
Keep  me  from  the  snares  which  they  have  laid  for  me, 
and  the  gins  of  the  workers  of  iniquity.  Let  the  wicked 
fall  into  their  own  nets,  whilst  that  I  withal  escape/' — 
Psalm  cxli. 


144  ROYAL   ARCH. 

"  I  cried  unto  the  Lord  with  my  voice ;  with  my 
voice  unto  the  Lord  did  I  make  my  supplication.  I 
poured  out  my  complaint  before  him :  I  shewed  before 
him  my  trouble.  When  my  spirit  was  overwhelmed 
within  me,  then  thou  knewest  my  path:  in  the  way 
wherein  I  walked,  have  they  privily  laid  a  snare  for  me. 
I  looked  on  my  right  hand,  and  beheld,  but  there  was 
no  man  that  would  know  me :  refuge  failed  me :  no  man 
cared  for  my  soul.  I  cried  unto  thee,  0  Lord :  I  said, 
Thou  art  my  refuge  and  my  portion  in  the  land  of  the 
living.  Attend  unto  my  cry ;  for  I  am  brought  very 
low:  deliver  me  from  my  persecutors;  for  they  are 
stronger  than  I.  Bring  my  soul  out  of  prison,  that  I 
may  praise  thy  name." — Psalm  cxlii.  *  *  *  * 

"Hear  my  prayer,  0  Lord,  give  ear  to  my  supplica 
tions  :  in  thy  faithfulness  answer  me,  and  in  thy  right 
eousness.  And  enter  not  into  judgment  with  thy  servant, 
for  in  thy  sight  shall  no  man  living  be  justified.  Foi 
the  enemy  hath  persecuted  my  soul ;  he  hath  smitten 
my  life  down  to  the  ground ;  he  hath  made  me  to  dwell 
in  darkness.  Therefore  is  my  spirit  overwhelmed  within 
me ;  my  heart  within  me  is  desolate.  Hear  me  speedily, 
O  Lord :  my  spirit  faileth :  hide  not  thy  face  from  me, 
lest  I  be  like  unto  them  that  go  down  into  the  pit.  Cause 
me  to  hear  thy  loving  kindness  in  the  morning :  for  in 
thee  do  I  trust :  cause  me  to  know  the  way  wherein  I 
should  walk :  for  I  lift  my  soul  unto  thee.  Teach  me 
to  do  thy  will ;  for  thou  art  my  God :  bring  my  soul  out 
of  trouble,  and  of  thy  mercy  cut  off  mine  enemies,  for  I 
am  thy  servant." — Paalm  cxliii.  *  *  *  *  * 

"And  Moses  answered  and  said,  But  behold,  they 
will  not  believe  me,  nor  hearken  unto  my  voice:  for 
they  will  say,  The  Lord  hath  not  appeared  unto  thee. 
And  the  Lord  said  unto  him,  What  is  that  in  thine 
hand  ?  And  he  said,  A  rod.  And  he  said,  Cast  it  on 


ROYAL,   ARBH.  145 

the  ground.  And  he  cast  it  on  the  ground,  and  it  be 
came  a  serpent;  and  Moses  fled  from  before  it.  And 
the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Put  forth  thine  hand,  and 
take  it  by  the  tail.  And  he  put  forth  his  hand,  and 
caught  it,  and  it  became  a  rod  in  his  hand.  That  they 
may  believe  that  the  Lord  God  of  their  fathers,  the 
God  of  Abraham,  the  God  of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of 
Jacob,  hath  appeared  unto  the.  ****** 
"And  the  Lord  said  furthermore  unto  him,  Put  now 
thine  hand  into  thy  bosom.  '  And  he  put  his  hand  into 
his  bosom:  and  when  he  took  it  out,  behold,  his  hand 
was  leprous  as  snow.  And  he  said,  Put  thine  hand 
into  thy  bosom  again.  And  he  put  his  hand  into  his 
bosom  again;  and  plucked  it  out  of  his  bosom,  and, 
behold,  it  was  turned  again  as  his  other  flesh.  And 
it  shall  come  to  pass,  if  they  will  not  believe  thee, 
neither  hearken  unto  the  voice  of  the  first  sign,  that 
they  will  believe  the  voice  of  the  latter  sign.  *  *  * 
And  it  shall  come 'to  pass,  if  they  will  not  believe 
also  these  two  signs,  neither  hearken  unto  thy  voice, 
that  thou  shalt  take  the  water  of  the  river,  and  pour  it 
upon  the  dry  land :  and  the  water  which  thou  takest 
out  of  the  river  shall  become  blood  upon  the  dry  land.'" 

Exodus  iv.  1-9. 


"  In  the  seventh  month,  in  the  one  and  twentieth  day 
of  the  month,  came  the  word  of  the  Lord  by  the  prophet 
10 


146  ROYAL    ARCH. 

Haggai,  saying,  Speak  now  to  Zerubbabel  the  son  of 
Sheakiel,  governor  of  Judah,  and  to  Joshua  the  son  of 
Josedech,  the  high  priest,  and  to  the  residue  of  the 
people,  saying,  Who  is  left  among  you  that  saw  this 
house  in  her  tirst  glory  ?  and  how  do  you  see  it  now  ? 
Is  it  not  in  your  eyes  in  comparison  of  it  as  nothing  ? 
Yet  now  be  strong,  0  Zerubbabel,  and  be  strong,  0 
Joshua,  son  of  Josedech,  the  high  priest;  and  be  strong 
all  ye  people  of  the  land,  and  work ;  for  I  am  with  you, 
according  to  the  word  which  I  covenanted  with  you 
when  ye  came  out  of  Egypt,  so  my  spirit  remaineth 
among  you :  fear  ye  not.  For  thus  saith  the  Lord  of 
Hosts,  Yet  once,  it  is  a  little  while,  and  I  will  shake 
the  heavens,  and  the  earth,  and  the  sea,  and  the  dry 
land ;  and  I  will  shake  all  nations,  and  the  desire  of  all 
nations  shall  come,  and  I  will  fill  this  hous'e  with  glory. 
The  silver  is  mine,  and  the  gold  is  mine.  The  glory 
of  this  latter  house  shall  be  greater  than  of  the  former, 
and  in  this  place  will  I  give  peace. 

"In  that  day  will  I  take  thee,  0  Zerubbabel,  my 
servant,  the  son  of  Shealtiel,  saith  the  Lord,  and  will 
make  thee  as  a  signet:  for  I  have  chosen  thee." 

Haggai  ii.  1-9,  23. 


"  This  is  the  word  of  the  Lord  unto  Zenibbabel, 
saying,  Not  by  might  nor  power,  but  by  my  spirit. 
Who  art  thou,  0  great  mountain  ?  Before  Zerubbabel 
thou  shalt  become  a  plain :  and  he  shall  bring  forth 
the  head  stone  thereof  with  shouting,  crying,  Grace, 
grace  unto  it.  Moreover,  the  word  of  the  Lord  came 
unto  me  saying,  The  hands  of  Zerubbabel  have  laid 


ROYAL    ARCH.  147 

the  foundation  of  this  house ;  his  hands  shall  also  finish 
it ;  and  thou  shalt  know  that  the  Lord  of  Hosts  hath 
sent  me  unto  you.  For  who  hath  despised  the  day  of 
small  things?  For  they  shall  rejoice,  and  shall  see 
the  plummet  in  the  hand  of  Zerubbabel,  with  those 
seven." — Zechariah  iv.  6-10. 


"  In  that  day  will  I  raise  up  the  tabernacle  of  David 
that  is  fallen,  and  close  up  the  breaches  thereof,  and  I 
will  raise  up  his  ruin,  and  I  will  build  it  as  in  the  days 
of  old." — Amos  ix.  11. 


"And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Moses  had  made  an 
end  of  writing  the  words  of  this  law  in  a  book,  until 
they  were  finished,  that  Moses  commanded  the  Levites 
which  bare  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  saying, 
Take  this  book  of  the  law,  and  put  it  in  the  side  of  the 
ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord  your  God,  that  it  may 
be  there  for  a  witness  against  thee." — Deuteronomy 
xxxi.  24-26. 

"And  thou  shalt  put  the  mercy  seat  above,  upon 
the  ark ;  and  in  the  ark  thou  shalt  put  the  testimony 
that  I  shall  give  thee." — Exodus  xxv.  21. 

'"And  Moses  said,  this  is  the  thing  which  the  Lord 
commandeth,  Fill  an  omer  of  the  manna,  to  be  kept  for 
your  generations ;  that  they  may  see  the  bread  where 
with  1  have  fed  you  in  the  wilderness,  when  I  brought 
you  forth  from  the  land  of  Egypt.  Arid  Moses  said 


148  ROYAL   ARCH. 

unto  Aaron,  Take  a  pot,  and  put  an  omer  full  of  manna 
therein,  and  lay  it  up  before  the  Lord,  to  be  Kept  for 
your  generations.  As  the  Lord  commanded  Moses,  so 
Aaron  laid  it  up  before  the  testimony  to  be  kept." 

Exodus  xvi.  32-34. 

«<  And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Bring  Aaron's  rod 
again  before  the  testimony,  to  be  kept  for  a  token." 

Numbers  xvii.  10. 

"For  there  was  a  tabernacle  made ;  the  first  wherein 
was  the  candlestick,  and  the  table,  and  the  shew  bread ; 
which  is  called  the  Sanctuary.  And  after  the  veils,  the 
tabernacle,  which  is  called  the  Holiest  of  all ;  which  had 
the  golden  censer,  and  the  ark  of  the  covenant,  overlaid 
round  about  with  gold,  wherein  was  the  golden  pot 
that  had  manna,  and  Aaron's  rod  that  budded,  and 
the  tables  of  the  covenant ;  and  over  it,  the  cherubims 
of  glory,  shadowing  the  mercy  seat ;  of  which  we  can 
not  now  speak  particularly."— Hebrews  ix.  2-5. 


"And  God  spake  unto  Moses,  and  said  unto  him,  I 
am  the  Lord:  and  I  appeared  unto  Abraham,  unto 
Isaac,  and  unto  Jacob,  by  the  name  of  God  Almighty ; 
but  by  my  name  JEHOVAH  was  I  not  known  to 
them."— Exodus  vi.  2,  3. 

'*  In  the  beginning  was  the  Word,  and  the  Word  was 
with  God,  and  the  Word  was  God.  The  same  was  in 
the  beginning  with  God.  All  things  were  made  by 
him;  and  without  him  was  not  anything  made  that 
was  made.  In  him  was  life,  and  the  life  was  the  light 
of  men.  And  the  light  shineth  in  darkness,  and  the 
darkness  comprehended  it  not." — John  i.  1-5. 


ROYAL   ARCH.  149 


The  following  remarks  relative  to  King  Solomon's 
Temple,  cannot  be  uninteresting  to  a  Koyal  Arch 
Mason : — 

This  famous  fabric  was  situated  on  Mount  Moriah, 
near  the  place  where  Abraham  was  about  to  offer  up 
his  son  Isaac,  and  where  David  met  and  appeased  the 
destroying  angel,  who  was  visible  over  the  threshing 
floor  of  Oman  the  Jebusite.  It  was  begun  in  the  fourth 
year  of  the  reign  of  Solomon ;  the  third  after  the  death 
of  David;  four  hundred  and  eighty  years  after  the 
passage  of  the  Red  Sea,  and  on  the  second  day  of  the 
month  Zif,  being  the  second  month  of  the  sacred  year, 
which  answers  to  the  21st  of  April,  in  the  year  of  the 
world  two  thousand  nine  hundred  and  ninety -two ;  and 
was  carried  on  with  such  prodigious  speed,  that  it  was 
finished,  in  all  its  parts,  in  little  more  than  seven  years. 

By  the  masonic  art,  and  the  wise  regulations  of  Sol 
omon,  this  famous  edifice  was  erected  without  the  sound 
of  the  axe,  hammer,  or  any  tool  of  iron ;  for  the  stones 
were  all  hewed,  squared  and  numbered,  in  the  quarries 
of  Zeradatha,  where  they  were  raised;  the  timbers 
were  felled  and  prepared  in  the  forest  of  Lebanon,  and 


150  ROYAL   ARCH. 

conveyed  by  sea  in  floats  to  Joppa,  and  from  thence  by 
land  to  Jerusalem ;  where  the  fabric  was  erected  by  the 
assistance  of  wooden  instruments  prepared  for  that  pur 
pose.  And  when  the  building  was  finished,  its  several 
parts  fitted  with  such  exact  nicety,  that  it  had  more 
the  appearance  of  being  the  handy  work  of  the  Supreme 
Architect  of  the  Universe,  than  of  human  hands. 

In  the  year  of  the  world  3029,  King  Solomon  died, 
and  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Rehoboam.  Soon  after 
this,  instigated  and  lead  on  by  Jeroboam,  the  son  of 
Nebafc,  ten  of  the  tribes  revolted  against  R,ehoboam  and 
set  up  a  separate  kingdom,  with  Jeroboam  at  their 
head.  In  this  manner  were  the  tribes  of  Israel  divided 
and  under  two  distinct  governments  for  two  hundred 
and  fifty-four  years.  The  ten  revolted  tribes  became 
weak  and  degenerated ;  their  country  was  laid  waste, 
and  their  government  overthrown  and  extirpated  by 
Salmanezer,  King  of  Assyria.  After  a  series  of  changes 
and  events,  Nebuchadnezzar,  King  of  Babylon,  having 
besieged  Jerusalem  and  raised  towers  all  round  the 
city,  so  that,  after  defending  it  for  the  space  of  a  year 
and  a  half,  it  was,  in  the  eleventh  year  of  the  reign  of 
Zedekiah,  King  of  Judah,  surrendered  and  delivered 
at  midnight  to  the  officers  of  Nebuchadnezzar,  who 
sacked  and  destroyed  the  temple,  and  took  away  all 
the  holy  vessels,  together  with  those  two  famous  brazen 
pillars ;  and  the  remnant  of  the  people  that  escaped  the 
sword,  carried  he  away  captives  to  Babylon,  where 
they  remained  servants  to  him  and  his  successors  until 


ROYAL    ARCH.  151 

the  reign  of  Cyrus,  King  of  Persia.  Cyrus,  in  the 
first  year  of  his  reign,  being  directed  by  that  divine 
power  which  invisibly  led  him  to  the  throne  of  Persia, 
issued  his  famous  edict  for  the  liberation  of  the  Hebrew 
captives,  with  permission  that  they  should  return  to 
their  native  country  and  rebuild  the  city  and  house  of 
the  Lord.  Accordingly,  the  principal  people  of  the 
tribes  of  Judah  and  Benjamin,  with  the  priests  and 
Levites,  immediately  departed  for  Jerusalem  and  com 
menced  the  great  and  glorious  work. 

CHARGE    TO    A    NEWLY    EXALTED    COMPANION. 

WORTHY  COMPANION — By  the  consent  and  assistance 
of  the  members  of  this  Chapter,  you  are  now  exalted 
to  the  sublime  and  honorable  degree  of  Royal  Arch 
Mason.  The  rites  and  mysteries  developed  in  this 
degree  have  been  handed  down  through  a  chosen  few, 
unchanged  by  time,  and  uncontrolled  by  prejudice; 
and  we  expect  and  trust,  they  will  be  regarded  by  you 
with  the  same  veneration,  and  transmitted  with  the 
same  scrupulous  purity,  to  your  successors. 

No  one  can  reflect  on  the  ceremonies  of  gaining  ad 
mission  into  this  place,  without  being  forcibly  struck 
with  the  important  lessons  which  they  teach.  Here 
we  are  necessarily  led  to  contemplate,  with  gratitude 
and  admiration,  the  sacred  Source  whence  all  earthly 
comforts  flow.  Here  we  find  additional  inducements 
to  continue  stcdfast  and  immoveable  in  the  discharge 
of  our  respective  duties ;  and  here  we  are  bound  by 
the  most  solemn  ties,  to  promote  each  other's  welfare 


152  ROifAL    ARCH. 

and  correct  each  other's  failing  by  advice,  admonition 
and  reproof.  As  it  is  our  earnest  desire,  and  a  duty 
we  owe  to  our  companions  of  this  Order,  that  the  ad 
mission  of  every  candidate  into  this  Chapter  should  be 
attended  by  the  approbation  of  the  most  scrutinizing 
eye,  we  hope  always  to  possess  the  satisfaction  of  find 
ing  none  among  us  but  such  as  will  promote,  to  the 
utmost  of  their  power,  the  great  end  of  our  institution. 
By  paying  due  attention  to  this  determination,  we  ex 
pect  you  will  never  recommend  any  candidate  to  this 
Chapter,  whose  abilities  and  knowledge  of  the  preced 
ing  degrees,  you  cannot  freely  vouch  for,  and  whom 
you  do  not  firmly  and  confidently  believe,  will  fully 
conform  to  the  principles  of  our  Order,  and  fulfil  the 
obligations  of  a  Royal  Arch  Mason.  While  such  are 
our  members,  we  may  expect  to  be  united  in  one  object, 
without  lukewarmness,  inattention  or  neglect ;  but  zeal, 
fidelity  and  affection,  will  be  the  distinguishing  char 
acteristics  of  our  society ;  and  that  satisfaction,  harmony 
and  peace,  may  be  enjoyed  at  our  meetings,  which  no 
other  society  can  afford. 

CLOSING   PRAYER. 

By  the  wisdom  of  the  Supreme  High  Priest,  may  we 
be  directed;  by  his  strength,  may  we  be  enabled;  and 
by  the  beauty  of  virtue,  may  we  be  incited,  to  perform 
the  obligations  here  enjoined  on  us ;  to  keep  inviolably 
the  mysteries  here  unfolded  to  us ;  and  invariably  to 
practice  all  those  duties  out  of  the  Chapter,  which  are 
inculcated  in  it.  Amen. 

Response.    So  mote  it  be. 


PART  THIRD, 


CHAPTER  I. 

ROYAL  MASTER'S  DEGREE. 

THIS  degree  cannot  legally  be  conferred  on  any  but 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  who  have  taken  all  the  preceding 
degrees;  and  it  is  preparatory  to  that  of  the  Select 
Master.  Although  it  is  short,  yet  it  contains  some 
valuable  information,  and  is  intimately  connected  with 
the  degree  of  Select  Master.  It  also  enables  us  with 
ease  and  facility  to  examine  the  privileges  of  others  to 
this  degree ;  while,  at  the  same  time,  it  proves  ourselves. 

The  following  passages  of  Scripture,  &c.,  are  con 
sidered  to  be  appropriate  to  this  degree : — 

"And  Solomon  made  all  the  vessels  that  pertained 
unto  the  house  of  the  Lord :  the  altar  of  gold,  and  the 
table  of  gold,  whereupon  the  shew  bread  was ;  and  the 
candlesticks  of  pure  gold;  five  on  the  right  side,  and 
five  on  the  left,  before  the  oracle ;  with  the  flowers  and 
the  lamps,  and  the  tongs  of  gold ;  and  the  bowls  and 
the  snuffers,  and  the  basons,  and  the  spoons,  and  the 
censers,  of  pure  gold ;  aud  the  hinges  of  gold,  both  for 
the  doors  of  the  inner  house,  the  most  holy  place,  and 
for  the  doors  of  the  house,  to  wit,  of  the  Temple.  So 


154  ROYAL   MASTER. 

Hiram  made  an  end  of  doing  all  the  work,  that  he  made 
for  King  Solomon,  for  the  house  of  the  Lord." 

1  Kings  vii.  48-50,  40. 

"And  behold,  I  come  quickly;  and  my  reward  is 
with  me,  to  give  every  man  according  as  his  work  shall 
be.  I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  beginning  and  the 
end,  the  first  and  the  last.  Blessed  are  they  that  do 
his  commandments,  that  they  may  have  right  to  the 
tree  of  life,  and  may  enter  in  through  the  gates  into  the 
city." — Rev.  xxii.  12-14. 

"And  he  set  the  cherubims  within  the  inner  house: 
and  they  stretched  forth  the  wings  of  the  cherubims, 
so  that  the  wing  of  the  one  touched  the  one  wall,  and 
the  wing  of  the  other  cherub  touched  the  other  wall, 
and  their  wings  touched  one  another  in  the  midst  of 
the  house." — 1  Kings  vi.  27. 

The  Ark,  called  the  glory  of  Israel,  which  was  seated 
in  the  middle  of  the  holy  place,  under  the  wings  of  the 
cherubim,  was  a  small  chest,  or  coffer,  three  feet  nine 
inches  long,  two  feet  three  inches  wide,  and  three  feet 
three  inches  high.  It  was  made  of  wood,  excepting 
only  the  mercy  seat,  but  overlaid  with  gold,  both  inside 
and  out.  It  had  a  ledge  of  gold  surrounding  it  at  the 
top,  into  which  the  cover,  called  mercy  seat,  was  let  in. 
The  mercy  seat  was  of  solid  gold,  the  thickness  of  a 
hand's  breadth:  at  the  two  ends  of  it  were  two  cher 
ubims,  looking  inwards  towards  each  other,  with  their 
wings  expanded ;  which  embracing  the  whole  circum 
ference  of  the  mercy  seat,  they  met  on  sach  side,  in 
the  middle ;  all  of  which,  the  Rabbins  say,  was  made 
of  the  same  mass,  without  .any  soldering  of  parts. 


SELECT  MASTER.  155 

Here  the  Shekinah,  or  Divine  Presence,  rested  and 
•\vus  visible  in  the  appearance  of  a  cloud  over  it.  From 
hence  the  Bath  kol  issued,  and  gave  answer  when  God 
was  consulted.  And  hence  it  is  that  God  is  said,  in 
the  Scripture,  to  dwell  between  the  cherubim  ;  that  is, 
between  the  cherubim  on  the  mercy  seat,  because  there 
was  the  seat  or  throne  of  the  visible  appearance  of  his 
glory  among  them. 


CHAPTER  II. 

SELECT    MASTER'S    DEGREE. 

THIS  degree  is  the  summit  and  perfection  of  ancient 
masonry  ;  and  without  which  the  history  of  the  Royal 


56  SELECT    MASTER. 

Arch  Degree  cannot  be  complete.  It  rationally  ac 
counts  for  the  concealment  and  preservation  of  the 
essentials  of  the  Craft  which  were  brought  to  light  at 
the  erection  of  the  second  Temple,  and  which  lay 
concealed  from  the  masonic  eye  for  four  hundred  and 
seventy  years. 

Many  particulars  relative  to  those  few  who,  for  their 
superior  skill,  were  selected  to  complete  an  important 
part  of  King  Solomon's  Temple,  are  explained. 

And  here  too  is  exemplified  an  instance  of  justice 
and  mercy,  by  our  ancient  patron,  towards  one  of  the 
Craft,  who  was  lead  to  disobey  his  commands,  by  an 
over  zealous  attachment  for  the  institution.  It  ends 
with  a  description  of  a  particular  circumstance,  which 
characterizes  the  degree. 

The  following  Psalm  is  read  at  opening : 

"His  foundation  is  in  the  holy  mountains.  The 
Lord  loveth  the  gates  of  Zion  more  than  all  the  dwel 
lings  of  Jacob.  Glorious  things  are  spoken  of  thee,  0 
city  of  God.  Selah.  I  will  make  mention  of  Rahab 
and  Babylon  to  them  that  know  me :  behold  Philistia, 
and  Tyre,  with  Ethiopia;  this  man  was  born  there: 
And  of  Zion  it  shall  be  said,  This  and  that  man  was 
born  in  her;  and  the  Highest  himself  shall  establish 
her.  The  Lord  shall  count,  when  he  writeth  up  the 
people,  that  this  man  was  born  there.  Selah.  As 
well  the  singers  as  the  players  on  instruments  shall  be 
there:  all  my  springs  are  in  thee." — Psalm  Ixxxvii. 

The  following  passages  of  Scripture  serve  as  illus 
trations  here : — 

"So  King  Solomon  was  king  over  all  Israel.    Aza« 


SELECT   MASTER.  157 

riah  the  son  of  Nathan  was  over  the  officers :  and  Zabud 
the  son  of  Nathan  was  principal  officer,  and  the  king's 
friend;  and  Ahishar  was  over  the  household:  and 
Adoniram  the  son  of  Abda  was  over  the  tribute." 

1  Kings  iv.  1,  5  and  6. 

"And  the  King  commanded,  and  they  brought  great 
stones,  costly  stones,  and  hewed  stones,  to  lay  the 
foundation  of  the  house.  And  Solomon's  builders  and 
Hiram's  builders  did  hew  them,  and  the  stone-squarers: 
so  they  prepared  timber  and  stones  to  build  the  house." 

1  Kings  v.  17,  18. 

"And  King  Solomon  sent  and  fetched  Hiram  out  of 
Tyre.  He  was  a  widow's  son,  of  the  tribe  of  NaphtaH, 
and  his  father  was  a  man  of  Tyre,  a  worker  of  brass ; 
and  he  was  filled  with  wisdom  and  understanding,  and 
cunning  to  work  all  works  in  brass." — 1  Kings  vii. 
13,  14. 

"The  ancients  of  Gebal,  and  the  wise  men  thereof, 
were  in  thee  thy  calkers :  all  the  ships  of  the  sea,  with 
their  mariners,  were  in  thee,  to  occupy  thy  merchan 
dize." — Ezekiel  xxvii.  9. 

"And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Moses  had  made  an 
end  of  writing  the  words  of  this  law  in  a  book,  until 
they  were  finished,  that  Moses  commanded  the  Levites, 
which  bare  the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  saying, 
Take  this  book  of  the  Law,  and  put  it  in  the  side  of  the 
ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  your  God,  that  it  may 
be  there  for  a  witness  against  thee." — Deut.  xxxi.  24-26. 

"  And  Moses  said  unto  Aaron,  Take  a  pot,  and  put 
an  omer  full  of  manna  therein,  and  lay  it  up  before  the 
Lord,  to  be  kept  for  your  generations.  As  the  Lord 
commanded  Moses,  so  Aaron  laid  it  up  before  the 
testimony  to  be  kept." — Exodus  xvi.  33,  34. 

"And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Bring  Aaron's  rod 
again  before  the  testimony,  to  be  kept  for  a  token." 

Numbers  xvii.  10. 


158  SELECT   MASTER. 

"And  when  Moses  was  gone  into  the  tabernacle  of 
the  congregation  to  speak  with  him,  then  he  heard  the 
voice  of  one  speaking  unto  him  from  off  the  mercy  seat 
that  was  upon  the  ark  of  the  testimony,  from  between 
the  two  cherubims:  and  he  spake  unto  them." 

lumbers  vii.  89. 

"And  look  that  thou  make  them  after  their  pattern, 
which  was  shewed  thee  in  the  mount." 

Exodus  xxv.  40. 


CHARGE    TO   A   SELECT   MASTER. 

COMPANION — Having  attained  to  this  degree,  you 
have  passed  the  circle  of  perfection  in  ancient  Masonry. 
In  the  capacity  of  Select  Master,  you  must  be  sensible 
that  your  obligations  are  increased  in  proportion  to 
your  privileges.  Let  it  be  your  constant  care  to  prove 


SELECT   MASTER.  159 

yourself  worthy  of  the  confidence  reposed  in  you,  in 
admitting  you  to  this  select  degree.  Let  uprightness 
and  integrity  attend  your  steps ;  let  justice  and  mercy 
mark  your  conduct;  lei  fervency  and  zeal  stimulate  you 
in  the  discharge  of  the  various  duties  incumbent  on 
you ;  but  suffer  not  an  idle  or  impertinent  curiosity  to 
lead  you  astray  or  betray  you  into  danger.  Be  deaf  to 
every  insinuation  which  would  have  a  tendency  to 
weaken  your  resolution,  or  tempt  you  to  an  act  of  dis 
obedience.  Be  voluntarily  dumb  and  Uind,  when  the 
exercise  of  those  faculties  would  endanger  the  peace 
of  your  mind  or  the  probity  of  your  conduct ;  and  let 
silence  and  secrecy,  those  cardinal  virtues  of  a  Select 
Master,  be  scrupulously  observed  on  all  necessary 
occasions.  By  a  steady  adherence  to  the  important 
instructions  contained  in  this  degree,  you  will  merit 
the  approbation  of  the  select  number  with  whom  you 
are  associated,  and  will  enjoy  the  high  satisfaction  of 
having  acted  well  your  part  in  the  important  enterprise 
in  which  you  are  engaged :  and  after  having  wrought 
your  regular  hours,  may  you  be  admitted  to  participate 
in  all  the  privileges  of  a  Select  Master. 


PART  FOURTH. 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORDER    OF    HIGH    PRIESTHOOD. 

THIS  order  appertains  to  the  office  of  High  Priest 
of  a  Royal  Arch  Chapter ;  and  no  one  can  be  legally- 
entitled  to  receive  it,  until  he  has  been  duly  elected  to 
preside  as  High  Priest  in  a  regular  Chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons.  This  order  cannot  be  conferred  unless 
at  least  three  duly  qualified  High  Priests  are  present. 
Whenever  the  ceremony  is  performed  in  due  and  ample 
form,  the  assistance  of  at  least  nine  High  Priests,  who 
have  received  it,  is  requisite. 

Though  the  High  Priest  of  every  regular  Royal 
Arch  Chapter,  having  himself  been  duly  qualified,  can 
confer  the  order,  under  the  preceding  limitation  as  to 
number,  yet  it  is  desirable,  when  circumstances  will 
permit,  that  it  should  be  conferred  by  the  Grand  High 
Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  or  such  Pre 
sent  or  Past  High  Priest  as  he  may  designate  for  that 
purpose.  A  convention,  notified  to  meet  at  the  time 


ORDER    OF    PRIESTHOOD.  161 

0 

of  any  convocation  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  will  afford 
the  best  opportunity  of  conferring  this  important  and 
exalted  degree  of  masonry  with  appropriate  solemnity. 
Whenever  it  is  conferred,  the  following  directions  are 
to  be  observed : — 

A  candidate  desirous  of  receiving  the  order  of  High 
Priesthood,  makes  a  written  request  to  his  predecessor 
in  office,  or,  when  it  can  be  done,  to  the  Grand  High 
Priest,  respectfully  requesting  that  a  convention  of  High 
Priests  may  be  called  for  the  purpose  of  conferring  on 
him  the  order.  When  the  convention  meets  and  is  duly 
organized,  a  certificate  of  the  due  election  of  the  can 
didate  to  the  office  of  High  Priest,  must  be  produced. 
This  certificate  is  signed  by  his  predecessor  in  office, 
attested  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Chapter.  On  exami 
nation  of  this  certificate,  the  qualifications  of  the  can 
didate  are  ascertained.  The  solemn  ceremonies  of 
conferring  the  order  upon  him,  then  ensue.  When 
ended,  the  presiding  officer  directs  the  Secretary  of  the 
convention  to  make  a  record  of  the  proceedings  and 
return  it  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  to  be 
by  him  laid  before  the  Grand  High  Priest  for  the  in 
formation  of  all  whom  it  may  concern.  The  convention 
of  High  Priests  is  then  dissolved  in  due  form. 

It  is  the  duty  of  every  Companion,  as  soon  after  his 
election  to  the  office  of  High  Priest  as  is  consistent 
with  his  personal  convenience,  to  apply  for  admission 
to  the  order  of  High  Priesthood,  that  he  may  be  fully 
qualified  properly  to  govern  his  Chapter. 
11 


162  ORDER   OF    PRIESTHOOD. 

The  following  passages  of  Scripture  are  made  use 
of  during  the  ceremonies  appertaining  to  this  order : 

"And  they  took  Lot,  Abram's  brother's  son,  who 
dwelt  in  Sodom,  and  his  goods,  and  departed.  And 
there  came  one  that  had  escaped,  and  told  Abram, 
the  Hebrew;  for  he  dwelt  in  the  plain  of  Mamre  the 
Amorite,  brother  of  Eschol,  and  brother  of  Aner :  and 
these  were  confederate  with  Abram. 

"  And  when  Abram  heard  that  his  brother  was  taken 
captive,  he  armed  his  trained  servants,  born  in  his  own 
house,  three  hundred  and  eighteen,  and  pursued  them 
unto  Dan.  And  he  divided  himself  against  them,  he 
and  his  servants,  by  night,  and  smote  them,  and  pur 
sued  them  unto  Hobah,  which  is  on  the  left  hand  of 
Damascus.  And  he  brought  back  all  the  goods,  and 
also  brought  again  his  brother  Lot,  and  his  goods,  and 
the  women  also,  and  the  people.  And  the  king  of 
Sodom  went  out  to  meet  him  after  his  return  from  the 
slaughter  of  Chederlaomer,  and  of  the  kings  that  were 
with  him,  at  the  valley  of  Shaveh,  which  is  the  king's 
dale. 

"And  Melchisedek,  king  of  Salem,  brought  forth 
bread  and  wine:  and  he  was  the  priest  of  the  Most 
High  God.  And  he  blessed  him,  and  said,  Blessed  be 
Abram  of  the  Most  High  God,  who  hath  delivered 
thine  enemies  into  thy  hand.  And  he  gave  him  tithes 
of  all.  And  the  king  of  Sodom  said  to  Abram,  Give 
me  the  persons,  and  take  the  goods  to  thyself.  And 
Abram  said  to  the  king  of  Sodom,  I  have  lifted  up  mine 
hand  to  the  Lord,  the  Most  High  God,  the  possessor 
of  heaven  and  earth,  that  I  will  not  take  from  a  thread 
even  to  a  shoe-latchet,  and  that  I  will  not  take  any 
thing  that  is  thine,  lest  thou  shouldest  say,  I  have  made 
Abram  rich :  save  only  that  which  the  young  men  have 


ORDER   OF   PRIESTHOOD.  163 

eaten,  and  the  portion  of  the  men  which  went  with  me, 
Aner,  Eschol,  and  Mamre;  let  them  take  their  portion." 

Genesis  xiv.  12-24. 

"For  this  Melchisedek,  king  of  Salem,  priest  of  the 
Most  High  God,  who  met  Abraham  returning  from  the 
slaughter  of  the  kings,  and  blessed  him :  to  whom  also 
Abraham  gave  a  tenth  part  of  all :  first  being  by  in 
terpretation  King  of  Righteousness,  and  af.er  that  also 
King  of  Salem,  which  is,  King  of  Peace ;  without  father, 
without  mother,  without  descent,  having  neither  be 
ginning  of  days  nor  end  of  life;  but  made  like  unto 
the  Son  of  God;  abideth  a  priest  continually.  Now 
consider  how  great  this  man  was,  unto  whom  even  the 
patriarch  Abraham  gave  the  tenth  of  the  spoils.  And 
verily,  they  that  are  the  sons  of  Levi,  who  receive  the 
office  of  priesthood,  have  a  commandment  to  take  tithes 
of  the  people,  according  to  the  law,  that  is,  of  their 
brethren,  though  they  come  out  of  the  loins  of  Abraham. 

"For  he  testitieth,  Thou  art  a  priest  forever  after 
the  order  of  Melchisedek. 

"And  inasmuch  as  not  without  an  oath  he  was  made 
priest:  (for  those  priests  [under  the  Levitical  law] 
were  made  without  an  oath ;  but  this  with  an  oath  by 
him  that  said  unto  him,  The  Lord  sware  and  will  not 
repent,  Thou  art  a  priest  for  ever,  after  the  order  of 
Melchisedek.)"— Heb.  vii.  1-6,  17,  20-1. 

"And  the  Lord  spake  unto  Moses,  saying,  speak 
unto  Aaron,  and  unto  his  sons,  saying,  On  this  wise 
ye  shall  bless  the  children  of  Israel,  saying  unto  them, 
The  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee ;  the  Lord  make 
his  face  to  shine  upon  thee  and  be  gracious  unto  thee ; 
the  Lord  life  up  his  countenance  upon  thee  and  give 
thee  peace." 


164  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 


CHAPTER  II. 

CEREMONY   AND    CHARGE    UPON    THE   INSTALLATION 
OF  THE  OFFICERS  OF  A  ROYAL  ARCH  CHAPTER. 

1.  The  Grand  Officers  will  meet  at  a  convenient 
place,  and  open. 

2.  The  subordinate  Chapter  will  meet  in  the  outer 
courts  of  their   Hall,   and   form  an  avenue   for   the 
reception  of  the  Grand  Officers. 

3.  When  formed,  they  will  despatch  a  committee  to 
the  place  where  the  Grand  Officers  are  assembled  to 
inform  the  Grand  Marshal  that  the  Chapter  is  prepared 
to  receive  them ; — the  Grand  Marshal  will  announce  the 
committee,  and  introduce  them  to  the  Grand  Officers. 

4.  The  Grand  Officers  will  mo\  8  in  procession,  con 
ducted  by  the  committee,  to  the  Hall  of  the  Chapter, 
in  the  following  order : 

Grand  Tyler, 
Two  Grand  Stewards : 

.Representatives  of  Subordinate  Chapters,  according  to 
seniority,  by  threes  triangular; 

Three  Great  Lights; 

Orator,  Chaplain,  and  other  clergy ; 

Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Treasurer,  and  Grand 

Royal  Arch  Captain; 

Grand  P.  Sojourner,  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host,  and 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priest; 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER.  165 

Grand  Scribe,  Grand  King,  and  Grand  High  Priest; 
(Grand  Marshal,  on  the  left  of  the  procession.) 

K  B.  The  Grand  Captain  of  the  Host,  Grand 
Principal  Sojourner,  and  Grand  Royal  Arch  Captain, 
are  appointed  pro  tempore. 

When  the  Grand  High  Priest  enters,  the  Grand 
Honors  are  given. 

5.  The  Grand  Secretary  will  then  call  over  the  names 
of  the  officers  elect;  and  the  Grand  High  Priest  will 
ask  whether  they  accept  their  respective  offices.     If 
they  answer  in  the  affirmative,  he  then  asks  the  mem 
bers  whether  they  remain  satisfied  with  their  choice. 
If  they  answer  in  the  affirmative,  he  directs  their  officers 
to  approach  the  sacred  volume,  and  become  qualified 
for  Installation,  agreeably  to  the  4th  section  of  the  4th 
article  of  the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution. 

6.  The  Grand  Marshal  will  then  form  the  whole  in 
procession,  and  they  will  march  through  the  veils  into 
the  inner  apartment,  wrhere  they  will  surround  the 
altar,  which  is  previously  prepared  in  ample  farm  for 
the  occasion. 

7.  All  present  will  kneel,  and  the  following  prayer 
will  be  recited : 

PRAYER. 

Almighty  and  Supreme  High  Priest  of  heaven  and 
earth!  Who  is  there  in  heaven  but  thee!  and  who 
upon  earth  can  stand  in  competition  with  thee !  Thy 


166  INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER. 

OMNISCIENT  MIND  brings  all  things  in  review, 
past,  present,  and  to  come;  thine  OMNIPOTENT 
ARM  directs  the  movementsxrf  the  vast  creation;  thine 
OMNIPRESENT  EYE  pervades  the  secret  recesses 
of  every  heart ;  thy  boundless  beneficence  supplies  us 
with  every  comfort  and  enjoyment;  and  thine  unspeak 
able  perfections  and  glory  surpass  the  understanding 
of  the  children  of  men !  Our  Father,  who  art  in  heaven, 
we  invoke  thy  benediction  upon  the  purposes  of  our 
present  assembly.  Let  this  Chapter  be  established  to 
thine  honor :  let  its  officers  be  endowed  with  wisdom 
to  discern,  and  fidelity  to  pursue,  its  true  interests ;  let 
its  members  be  ever  mindful  of  the  duty  they  owe  to 
their  God,  the  obedience  they  owe  to  their  superiors, 
the  love  they  owe  to  their  equals,  and  the  good  will  they 
owe  to  all  mankind.  Let  this  Chapter  be  consecrated 
to  thy  glory,  and  its  members  ever  exemplify  their  love 
.to  God  by  their  beneficence  to  man. 
"  Glory  be  to  God  on  high."  Amen. 

Response,     "  So  mote  it  be." 
They  are  then  qualified  in  due  form. 

All  the  Companions,  except  High  Priests  and  Past 
Hii>-h  Priests,  are  then  desired  to  withdraw,  while  the 
new  High  Priest  is  solemnly  bound  to  the  performance 
of  his  duties;  and  after  the  performance  of  other 
necessary  ceremonies,  not  proper  to  be  written,  they 
are  permitted  to  return. 


INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER.  167 

8.  The  whole  then  repair  to  their  appropriate 
stations,  when  the  Grand  Marshal  will  form  a  general 
procession  in  the  following  order : 

Three  Royal  Arch  Stewards,  with  rods ; 
Tyler  of  a  Blue  Lodge ; 
Entered  Apprentices" ; 
•g  Fellow  Crafts; 

{33  Master  Masons ; 

£       Stewards  of  Lodges,  having  Jewels ; 
£  Deacons,  having  Jewels; 

a  Secretaries,  having  Jewels; 

Treasurers,  having  Jewels; 
Q  Wardens,  having  Jewels; 

Mark  Master  Masons ; 
Most  Excellent  Masters ; 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  by  three; 
Royal  Masters,  by  three ; 
Select  Masters,  by  three; 
Orders  of  Knighthood; 
Tyler  of  the  new  Chapter ; 
Members  of  the  new  Chapter,  by  three  ; 

Three  Masters  of  Veils ; 
Secretary,  Treasurer,  Royal  Arch  Captain,  and 

Principal  Sojourner  carrying  the  Ark; 

A  Companion,  carrying  the  Pot  of  Incense ; 

Two  Companions  carrying  Lights ; 

Scribe,  High  Priest,  and  King; 
Grand  Chapter,  as  before  prescribed. 
On  arriving  at  the  church  or  house  where  the  services 


168  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

are  to  be  performed,  they  halt,  open  to  the  right  and 
left,  and  face  inward,  while  the  Grand  Officers  and 
others  in  succession  pass  through  and  enter  the  house. 

9.  The  officers  and  members  of  the  new  Chapter, 
and   ?lso  of  the   Grand   Chapter,  being   seated,  the 
Grand  Marshal  proclaims  silence,  and  the  ceremonies 
commence. 

10.  An  Anthem  or  Ode  is  to  be  performed. 

11.  An  Oration  or  Address  is  to  be  delivered. 

12.  An  Ode  or  piece  of  Music. 

*[13.  The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  then  rises 
and  informs  the  Grand  High  Priest,  that  "a  number 
of  Companions,  duly  instructed  in  the  sublime  mysteries, 
being  desirous  of  promoting  the  honor,  and  propagating 
the  principles  of  the  Art,  have  applied  to  the  Grand 
Chapter  for  a  warrant  to  constitute  a  new  Chapter  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  which  having  been  obtained,  they 
are  now  assembled  for  the  purpose  of  being  constituted, 
and  having  their  officers  installed  in  due  and  ancient 
form."] 

[14.  The  Grand  Marshal  will  then  form  the  officers 
and  members  of  the  new  Chapter  in  front  of  the  Grand 
Officers;  after  which,  the  Grand  High  Priest  directs 
the  Grand  Secretary  to  read  the  Warrant.] 

*  NOTE.  Those  paragraphs  which  are  inclosed  within 
brackets,  apply  exclusively  to  cases  when  new  Chapters  are 
constituted,  and  their  officers  installed  for  the  first  time. 
The  rest  apply  equally  to  such  cases,  as  weil  as  to  annual 
Installations. 


INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER.  160 

[15.  The  Grand  High  Priest  then  rises  and  says, 
"By  virtue  of  the  high  powers  in  me  vested,  I  do  form 
you,  my  respected  Companions,  into  a  regular  Chapter 
of  Royal  Arch  Masons.  From  henceforth  you  are 
authorized  and  empowered  to  open  and  hold  a  Lodge 
of  Mark  Masters,  Past  Masters,  and  Most  Excellent 
Masters,  and  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons ;  and 
to  do  and  perform  all  such  things  as  thereunto  may 
appertain :  conforming,  in  all  your  doings,  to  the  Gen 
eral  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and  the  general 
regulations  of  the  State  Grand  Chapter.  And  may 
the  God  of  your  fathers  be  with  you,  guide  and  direct 
you  in  all  your  doings."] 

16.  The   furniture,    clothing,   jewels,   implements, 
utensils,  &c.,  belonging  to  the  Chapter,  (having  been 
previously  placed  in  the  center,  in  front  of  the  Grand 
Officers,  covered,)  are  now  uncovered  and  the  new 
Chapter  is  dedicated  in  due  and  ancient  form. 

1 7.  The  dedication  then  follows,  the  Grand  Chaplain 
saying, 

"  To  our  Most  Excellent  Patron  ZERUB BABEL, 
we  solemnly  dedicate  this  Chapter.  May  the  blessing 
of  .our  Heavenly  High  Priest  descend  and  rest  upon 
its  members,  and  may  their  felicity  be  immortal. 

"  Glory  be  to  God  on  high." 

[Response  by  the  Companions.] 

"As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall 
be;  world  without  end.  Amen.  So  mote  it  be." 


170  INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER. 

18.  The  Grand  Marshal  then  says,  "I  am  directed 
to  proclaim,  and  I  do  hereby  proclaim  this  Chapter, 

by  the  name  of Chapter,  duly  consecrated, 

constituted  and  dedicated.     This,"  &c.  &c.  date. 

19.  An  Ode. 

20.  The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  will  then  present 
the  first  officer  of  the  new  Chapter  to  the  Grand  Higt 
Priest,  saying, 

MOST  EXCELLENT  GRAND  HIGH  PRIEST  : — I  present 

you  my  worthy  Companion ,  nominated 

in  the  warrant,  to  be  installed  High  Priest  of  this  [new] 
Chapter.  I  find  him  to  be  skilful  in  the  royal  art,  and 
attentive  to  the  moral  precepts  of  our  forefathers,  and 
have  therefore  no  doubt  but  he  will  discharge  the  duties 
of  his  office  with  fidelity. 

The  Grand  High  Priest  then  addresses  him  as 
follows : 

MOST  EXCELLENT — I  feel  much  satisfaction  in  per 
forming  my  duty  on  the  present  occasion,  by  installing 
you  into  the  office  of  High  Priest  of  this  [new]  Chapter. 
It  is  an  office  highly  honorable  to  all  those  who  dili 
gently  perform  the  important  duties  annexed  to  it. 
Your  reputed  masonic  knowledge,  however,  precludes 
the  necessity  of  a  particular  enumeration  of  those  du 
ties.  I  shall  therefore  only  observe,  that  by  a  frequent 
recurrence  to  the  Constitution  and  General  Regulations, 
and  constant  practice  of  the  several  sublime  lectures 
and  charges,  you  will  be  best  able  to  fulfil  them ;  and 


INSTALLING   A    CHAPTER.  171 

I  am  confident  that  the  Companions  who  are  chosen  to 
preside  with  you,  will  give  strength  to  your  endeavors, 
and  support  to  your  exertions. 

I  shall  now  propose  certain  questions  to  you,  relative 
to  the  duties  of  your  office,  and  to  which  I  must  request 
your  unequivocal  answer. 

1.  Do  you  solemnly  promise  that  you  will  use  your 
endeavors  to  correct  the  vices,  purify  the  morals,  and 
promote  the  happiness  of  those  of  your  Companions 
who  have  attained  this  sublime  degree? 

2.  That  you  will  never  suffer  your  CLapter  to  be 
opened,  unless  there  be  present  nine  regular  Royal 
Arch  Masons  ? 

3.  That  you  will  never  suffer  either  more  or  less 
than  three  brethren  to  be  exalted  in  your  Chapter  at 
one  and  the  same  time  ? 

4.  That  you  will  not  exalt  any  one  to  this  degree 
who  has  not  shown  a  charitable  and  humane  disposition; 
or  who  has  not  made  a  considerable  proficiency  in  the 
foregoing  degrees  ? 

5.  That  you  will  promote  the  general  good  of  our 
Order,  and,  on  all  proper  occasions,  be  ready  to  give 
and   receive   instructions,   and  particularly   from   the 
General  and  State  Grand  Officers  ? 

6.  That,  to  the  utmost  of  your  power,  you  will  pre 
serve  the  solemnities  of  our  ceremonies,  and  behave, 
in  open  Chapter,  with  the  most  profound  respect  and 
reverence,  as  an  example  to  your  Companions  ? 

7.  That  you.  will  not  acknowledge  or  have  intercourse 


172  INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER. 

with  any  Chapter  that  does  not  work  under  a  constitu 
tional  warrant  or  dispensation  ? 

8.  That  you  will  not  admit  any  visiter  into  your 
Chapter,  who  has  not  been  exalted  in  a  Chapter  legally 
constituted,  without  his  being  first  formally  healed  ? 

9.  That  you  will  observe  and  support  such  by-laws 
as  may  be  made  by  your  Chapter,  in  conformity  to 
the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and  the 
General  Regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter  ? 

10.  That  you  will  pay  respect  and  due  obedience  to 
the  instructions  of  the  General  and  State  Grand  Offi 
cers,  particularly  relating  to  the  several  Lectures  and 
Charges,  and  will  resign  the  chair  to  them,  severally, 
when  they  may  visit  your  Chapter  ? 

11.  That  you  will  support  and  observe  the  General 
Grand   Royal   Arch    Constitution,    and    the    General 
Regulations  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter,  under 
whose  authority  you  act? 

Do  you  submit  to  all  these  things,  and  do  you  promise 
to  observe  and  practice  them  faithfully  ? 

These  questions  being  answered  in  the  affirmative, 
the  Companions  all  kneel  in  due  form,  and  the  Grand 
High  Priest  or  Grand  Chaplain  repeats  the  following, 
or  some  other  suitable  prayer : 

"Most  holy  and  glorious  Lord  God,  the  Great  High 
Priest  of  Heaven  and  Earth : — 

"We  approach  thee  with  reverence  and  implore  thy 
blessing  on  the  Companion  aj  pointed  to  preside  over 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER.  173 

this  new  assembly,  and  now  prostrate  before  thee ;  fill 
his  heart  with  thy  fear,  that  his  tongue  and  actions 
may  promote  thy  glory.  Make  him  steadfast  in  thy 
service ;  grant  him  firmness  of  mind ;  animate  his  heart, 
and  strengthen  his  endeavors ;  may  he  teach  thy  judg 
ments  and  thy  laws ;  and  may  the  incense  he  shall  put 
before  thee,  upon  thine  altar,  prove  an  acceptable 
sacrifice  unto  thee.  Bless  him,  0  Lord,  and  bless  the 
work  of  his  hands.  Accept  us  in  mercy ;  hear  thou 
from  Heaven  thy  dwelling-place,  and  forgive  our 
transgressions. 

" Glory  be  to  God  the  Father;  as  it  was  in  the 
beginning,"  &c. 

Response.     "  So  mote  it  be." 

21.  The  Grand  High  Priest  will  then  cause  the 
High  Priest  elect  to  be  invested  with  his  clothing, 
badges,  &c. ;  after  which  he  will  address  him  as 
follows,  viz: 

MOST  EXCELLENT — In  consequence  of  your  cheerful 
acquiescence  with  the  charges  which  you  have  heard 
recited,  you  are  qualified  for  installation  as  the  High 
Priest  of  this  Royal  Arch  Chapter ;  and  it  is  incumbent 
upon  me,  on  this  occasion,  to  point  out  some  of  the 
particulars  appertaining  to  your  office,  duty  and  dignity. 

All  legally  constituted  bodies  of  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
are  called  Chapters  ;  as  regular  bodies  of  Masons  of  the 
preceding  degrees  are  called  Lodges.  Every  Chapter 


174  INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER. 

ouirht  to  assemble  for  work   at  least  once  in  three 

O 

months;  and  must  consist  of  a  High  Priest,  King, 
Scribe,  Captain  of  the  Host,  Principal  Sojourner,  Royal 
Arch  Captain,  three  Grand  Masters  of  the  Veils,  Trea 
surer,  Secretary,  and  as  many  members  as  may  be 
found  convenient  for  working1  to  advantage. 


o 


The  officers  of  the  Chapter  officiate  in  the  Lodges, 
holden  for  conferring  the  preparatory  degrees,  according 
to  rank,  as  follows,  viz : 

The  High  Priest,  as  Master; 

The  King,  as  Senior  Warden ; 

The  Scribe,  as  Junior  Warden ; 

The  Captain  of  the  Host,  as  Marshal  or  Master  of 
Ceremonies  ; 

The  Principal  Sojourner,  as  Senior  Deacon ; 

The  Royal  Arch  Captain,  as  Junior  Deacon; 

The  Master  of  the  first  Veil,  as  Junior  Overseer; 

The  Master  of  the  second  Veil,  as  Senior  Overseer; 

The  Master  of  the  third  Veil,  as  Master  Overseer ; 

The  Treasurer,  Secretary,  Chaplain,  Stewards,  and 
Tyler,  as  officers  of  corresponding  rank. 

The  High  Priest  of  every  Chapter  has  it  in  special 
charge,  to  see  that  the  by-laws  of  his  Chapter,  as  well 
as  the  General  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and 
all  the  regulations  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  are  duly 
observed : — that  all  the  officers  of  his  Chapter  perform 
the  duties  of  their  respective  offices  faithfully,  and  are 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER.  175 

examples  of  diligence  and  industry  to  their  Companions; 
that  true  and  accurate  records  of  all  the  proceedings 
of  the  Chapter  are  kept  by  the  Secretary; — that  the 
Treasurer  keep  and  render  exact  and  just  accounts  of 
all  the  moneys  and  other  property  belonging  to  the 
Chapter;  that  the  regular  returns  be  made  annually 
to  the  Grand  Chapter;  and  that  the  annual  dues  to  the 
Grand  Chapter  be  regularly  and  punctually  paid.  He 
has  the  right  and  authority  of  calling  his  Chapter  to 
gether  at  pleasure,  upon  any  emergency  or  occurrence, 
which  in  his  judgment  may  require  their  meeting.  It 
is  his  privilege  and  duty,  together  with  the  King  and 
Scribe,  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  Grand  Chapter, 
either  in  person  or  by  proxy ;  and  the  well-being  of 
the  institution  requires  that  this  duty  on  no  occasion 
be  omitted. 

The  office  of  High  Priest  is  a  station  highly  honor 
able  to  those  who  diligently  perform  the  important 
duties  annexed  to  it.  By  a  frequent  recurrence  to  the 
Constitution  and  General  Regulations,  and  a  constant 
practice  of  the  several  sublime  Lectures  and  Charges, 
you  will  be  best  enabled  to  fulfil  those  duties ;  and  I 
am  confident  that  the  Companions  who  are  chosen  to 
preside  with  you,  will  give  strength  to  your  endeavors, 
and  support  to  your  exertions. 

Let  the  Mitre,  with  which  you  are  invested,  remind 
you  of  the  dignity  of  the  office  you  sustain,  and  its 
inscription  impress  upon  your  mind  a  sense  of  your 
dependence  upon  God;  that  perfection  is  not  given 


176  INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER. 

unto  man  upon  earth,  and  that  perfect  holiness  belongeth 
alone  unto  the  Lord. 

The  Breast-plate,  with  which  you  are  decorated,  in 
imitation  of  that  upon  which  were  engraven  the  names 
of  the  twelve  tribes,  and  worn  by  the  High  Priests  of 
Israel,  is  to  teach  you  that  you  are  always  to  bear  in 
mind  your  responsibility  to  the  laws  and  ordinances  of 
the  institution,  and  that  the  honor  and  interests  of  your 
Chapter  and  its  members  should  be  always  near  your 
heart. 

The  various  colors  of  the  Robes  you  wear,  are  em 
blematical  of  every  grace  and  virtue  which  can  adorn 
and  beautify  the  human  mind ;  each  of  which  will  be 
briefly  illustrated  in  the  course  of  the  charges  to.  be 
delivered  to  your  subordinate  officers. 

You  will  now  take  charge  of  your  officers,  standing 
upon  their  right,  and  present  them  severally  in  succes 
sion  to  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  by  whom  they 
will  be  presented  to  me  for  installation. 

22.  The  High  Priest  of  the  Chapter  will  then  present 
his  second  officer  to  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 
who  will  present  him  to  the  Grand  High  Priest  in  the 
words  of  the  Constitution.  The  Grand  High  Priest 
will  then  ask  him  whether  he  has  attended  to  the 
ancient  charges  and  regulations  before  recited  to  his 
superior  officer :  if  he  answers  in  the  affirmative,  he  is 
asked  whether  he  fully  and  freely  assents  to  the  same : 
if  he  answers  in  the  -Affirmative,  the  Grand  High  Priest 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER.  177 

directs  his  Deputy  to  invest  him  with  the  clothing,  &c., 
and  then  addresses  him  as  follows,  viz : 

•  •''ir-*'  'r't~  i        **t  <•'•'-',••'     •  . ,'    •  •£        >•  '\    ''\-  *•       '  •'    •• 
CHARGE   TO    THE   SECOND    OFFICER,    OR   KING. 

EXCELLENT  COMPANION — The  important  station  to 
which  you  are  elected  in  this  Chapter,  requires  from 
you  exemplary  conduct ;  its  duties  demand  your  most 
assiduous  attention;  you  are  to  second  and  support 
your  chief  in  all  the  requirements  of  his  office ;  and 
should  casualties  at  any  time  prevent  his  attendance, 
you  are  to  succeed  him  in  the  performance  of  his  duties. 

Your  badge  (the  Level  surmounted  by  a  crown,) 
should  remind  you,  that  although  you  are  the  repre 
sentative  of  a  king,  and  exalted  by  office  above  your 
Companions,  yet  that  you  remain  upon  a  level  with 
them,  as  respects  your  duty  to  God,  to  your  neighbor 
and  to  yourself;  that  you  are  equally  bound  with  them 
to  be  obedient  to  the  laws  and  ordinances  of  the  Insti 
tution,  to  be  charitable,  humane  and  just,  and  to  seek 
every  occasion  of  doing  good. 

Your  office  teaches  a  striking  lesson  of  humility. 
The  institutions  of  political  society  teach  us  to  consider 
the  king  as  the  chief  of  created  beings,  and  that  the 
first  duty  of  his  subjects  is  to  obey  his  mandates ;  but 
the  institutions  of  our  sublime  degrees,  by  placing  the 
King  in  a  situation  subordinate  to  the  High  Priest, 
teaches  us  that  our  duty  to  God  is  paramount  to  all 
other  duties,  and  should  ever  claim  the  priority  of  our 
obedience  to  man ;  and  that  however  strongly  we  may 
12 


178  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

be  bound  to  obey  the  laws  of  civil  society,  yet  that 
those  laws,  to  be  just,  should  never  intermeddle  with 
matters  of  conscience,  nor  dictate  articles  of  faith. 

The  Scarlet  Role,  an  emblem  of  imperial  dignity, 
should  remind  you  of  the  paternal  concern  you  should 
ever  feel  for  the  welfare  of  your  Chapter,  and  the 
fervency  and  zeal  with  which  you  should  endeavor  to 
promote  its  prosperity. 

In  presenting  to  you  the  Crown,  which  is  an  emblem 
of  royalty,  I  would  remind  you,  that  to  reign  sovereign 
in  the  hearts  and  affections  of  men,  must  be  far  more 
grateful  to  a  generous  and  benevolent  mind,  than  to 
rule  over  their  lives  and  fortunes ;  and  that  to  enable 
you  to  enjoy  this  pre-eminence  with  honor  and  satis 
faction,  you  -must  subject  your  own  passions  and 
prejudices  to  the  dominion  of  reason  and  charity. 

You  are  entitled  to  the  second  seat  .in  the  council  of 
your  Companions.  Let  the  bright  example  of  your 
illustrious  predecessor  in  the  Grand  Council  at  Jerusa 
lem,  stimulate  you  to  the  faithful  discharge  of  your 
duties;  and  when  the  King  of  kings  shall  summon 
you  into  his  immediate  presence,  from  his  hand  may 
you  receive  a  crown  of  glory,  which  shall  never  fade 
away. 

23.  The  king  will  then  retire  to  the  line  of  officers, 
and  the  Scribe  will  be  presented  in  the  manner  before 
mentioned.  After  his  investiture,  the  Grand  High 
Priest  wili  address  him  as  follows,  viz: 


INSTALLING   A    CHAPTER.  179 

CHARGE   TO   THE    THIRD    OFFICER,    OR   SCRIBE. 

EXCELLENT  COMPANION — The  office  of  Scribe,  to 
which  you  are  elected,  is  very  important  and  respectable. 
In  the  absence  of  your  superior  officers,  you  are  bound 
to  succeed  them,  and  to  perform  their  duties  The 
purposes  of  the  institution  ought  never  to  suffer  for 
want  of  intelligence  in  its  proper  officers ;  you  will 
therefore  perceive  the  necessity  there  is  of  your  pos 
sessing  such  qualifications  as  will  enable  you  to  ac 
complish  those  duties  which  are  incumbent  upon  you, 
in  your  appropriate  station,  as  well  as  those  which  may 
occasionally  devolve  on  you,  by  the  absence  of  your 
superiors. 

The  Purple  Robe,  with  which  you  are  invested,  is  an 
emblem  of  union,  and  is  calculated  to  remind  you  that 
the  harmony  and  unanimity  of  the  Chapter  should  be 
your  constant  aim ;  and  to  this  end  you  are  studiously 
to  avoid  all  occasions  of  giving  offence,  or  countenan 
cing  any  thing  that  may  create  divisions  or  dissentions. 
You  are,  by  all  means  in  your  power,  to  endeavor  to 
establish  a  permanent  union  and  good  understanding 
among  all  orders  and  degrees  of  masonry ;  and,  as  the 
glorious  sun,  at  its  meridian  height,  dispels  the  mist 
and  clouds  which  obscure  the  horizon,  so  may  your 
exertions  tend  to  dissipate  the  gloom  of  jealousy  and 
discord,  whenever  they  may  appear. 

Your  badge  (a  Plumb-rule  sicrmounted  by  the  Turban,) 
is  an  emblem  of  rectitude  and  vigilance ;  and  while  you 


180  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

stand  as  a  watchman  upon  the  tower,  to  guard  your 
Companions  against  the  approach  of  those  enemies  of 
human  felicity,  intemperance  and  excess,  let  this  faithful 
monitor  ever  remind  you  to  walk  uprightly  in  your 
station ;  admonishing  and  animating  your  Companions 
to  fidelity  and  industry  while  at  labor,  and  to  tempe 
rance  and  moderation  while  at  refreshment.  And 
when  the  Great  Watchman  of  Israel,  whose  eye  never 
slumbers  nor  sleeps,  shall  relieve  you  from  your  post 
on  earth,  may  he  permit  you  in  heaven  to  participate 
in  that  food  and  refreshment  which  is 

"  Such  as  the  saints  in  glory  love 
And  such  as  angels  eat." 

24.  The  Scribe  will  then  retire  to  the  line  of  officers, 
and  the  next  officer  be  presented  as  before. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  FOURTH  OFFICER,  OR  CAPTAIN  OF  THE 
HOST. 

COMPANION — The  office  with  which  you  are  entrusted 
is  of  high  importance,  and  demands  your  most  zealous 
consideration.  The  preservation  of  the  most  essential 
traits  T>f  our  ancient  customs,  usages  and  landmarks, 
are  within  your  province ;  and  it  is  indispensably  ne 
cessary,  that  the  part  assigned  to  you,  in  the  immediate 
practice  of  our  rites  and  ceremonies  should  be  perfectly 
understood  and  correctly  administered. 

Your  office  corresponds  with  that  of  Marshal,  or 
Master  of  Ceremonies.  You  are  to  superintend  all 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER.  181 

processions  of  your  Chapter,  when  moving  as  a  distinct 
body,  either  in  public  or  private;  and  as  the  world 
can  only  judge  of  our  private  discipline  by  our  public 
deportment,  you  will  be  careful  thaj  the  utmost  order 
and  decorum  be  observed  on  all  such  occasions.  You 
will  ever  be  attentive  to  the  commands  of  your  chief, 
and  always  near  at  hand  to  see  them  duly  executed. 
I  invest  you  with  the  badge  of  your  office,  and  presume 
that  you  will  give  to  your  duties  all  that  study  and 
attention  which  their  importance  demands. 

25.  He  will  then  retire  to  the  line  of  officers,  and  the 
next  officer  will  be  presented. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    FIFTH    OFFICER,    OR   PRINCIPAL    SO- 
JOURNER. 

COMPANION — The  office  confided  to  you,  though 
subordinate  in  degree,  is  equal  in  importance  to  any  in 
the  Chapter,  that  of  your  chief  alone  excepted.  Your 
office  corresponds  with  that  of  senior  deacon  in  the  pre 
paratory  degrees.  Among  the  duties  required  of  you, 
the  preparation  and  introduction  of  candidates  are  not 
the  least.  As  in  our  intercourse  with  the  world  ex 
perience  teaches  that  first  impressions  are  often  the 
most  durable  and  the  most  difficult  to  eradicate,  so  it  is 
of  great  importance  in  all  cases,  that  those  impressions 
should  be  correct  and  just :  hence  it  is  essential  that 
the  officer,  who  brings  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they 
knew  not,  and  leads  them  in  paths  that  they  have  not 


182  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

known,  should  always  be  well  qualified  to  make  dark 
ness  light  before  them,  and  crooked  things  straight. 

Your  robe  of  office  is  an  emblem  of  humility,  and 
teaches  that  in  thp  prosecution  of  a  laudable  underta 
king  we  should  never  decline  taking  any  part  that  may 
be  assigned  us,  although  it  may  be  the  most  difficult 
or  dangerous. 

The  rose-colored  tessellated  Border,  adorning  your 
robe,  is  an  emblem  of  ardor  and  perseverance,  and 
signifies  that  when  we  have  engaged  in  a  virtuous 
course,  notwithstanding  all  the  impediments,  hardships 
and  trials  we  may  be  destined  to  encounter,  we  should 
endure  them  all  with  fortitude,  and  ardently  persevere 
unto  the  end ;  resting  assured  of  receiving,  at  the  ter 
mination  of  our  labors,  a  noble  and  glorious  reward. 
Your  past  exertions  will  be  considered  as  a  pledge  of 
your  future  assiduity  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  your 
duties. 

26.  He  will  then  retire  to  the  line  of  officers,  and 
the  next  officer  is  presented. 

CHARGE  TO  THE  SIXTH  OFFICER,  OR  ROYAL  ARCH  CAPTAIN. 

COMPANION — The  well-known  duties  of  your  station 
require  but  little  elucidation.  Your  office  in  the  pre 
paratory  degrees  corresponds  with  that  of  junior  deacon. 
It  is  your  province,  conjointly  with  the  Captain  of  the 
Host,  to  attend  the  examination  of  all  visiters,  and  to 
take  care  that  none  are  permitted  to  enter  the  Chapter 


INSTALLING   A    CHAPTER.  183 

but  such  as  have  travelled  the  rugged  path  of  trial,  and 
evinced  their  title  to  our  favor  and  friendship.  You 
will  be  attentive'to  obey  the  commands  of  the  Captain 
of  the  Host,  during  the  introduction  of  strangers  among 
the  workmen :  and  should  they  be  permitted  to  pass 
your  post,  they  may  by  him  be  introduced  into  the 
presence  of  the  Grand  Council. 

The  White  Banner  entrusted  to  your  care,  is  em 
blematical  of  that  purity  of  heart  and  rectitude  of  con 
duct  which  ought  to  actuate  all  those  who  pass  the " 
white  veil  of  the  sanctuary.  I  give  it  to  you  strictly 
in  charge,  never  to  suffer  any  one  to  pass  your  post 
without  the  signet  of  truth. 

I  present  you  the  badge  of  your  office,  in  expectation 
of  your  performing  your  duties  with  intelligence,  assi 
duity,  and  propriety, 

27.  He  then  retires,  and  the  Three  Grand  Masters 
of  the  Veils  are  presented  together. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    MASTER   OF   THE    THIRD    VEIL. 

COMPANION — I  present  you  with  the  Scarlet  Bannert 
which  is  the  ensign  of  your  office,  and  with  a  sword 
to  protect  and  defend  the  same.  The  rich  and  beautiful 
color  of  your  banner  is  emblematical  of  fervency  and 
zeal;  it  is  the  appropriate  color  of  the  Royal  Arch 
degree :  it  admonishes  us,  that  we  should  be  fervent  in 
the  exercise  of  our  devotions  to  God ;  and  zealous  in 
our  endeavors  to  promote  the  happiness  of  man. 


184  INSTALLING   A    CHAPTER. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    MASTER    OF    THE    SECOND    VEIL. 

COMPANION — I  invest  you  with  the  Purple  Banner, 
which  is  the  ensign  of  your  office,  and  arm  you  with 
a  sword  to  enable  you  to  maintain  its  honor. 

The  color  of  your  banner  is  produced  by  a  due 
mixture  of  blue  and  scarlet;  the  former  of  which  is  the 
characteristic  color  of  the  symbolic  or  first  three  degrees 
of  masonry,  and  the  latter,  that  of  the  royal  arch  degree. 
It  is  an  emblem  of  union,  and  is  the  characteristic  color 
of  the  intermediate  degrees.  It  admonishes  us  to  cul 
tivate  and  improve  that  spirit  of  union  and  harmony 
between  the  brethren  of  the  symbolic  degrees  which 
should  ever  distinguish  the  members  of  a  society 
founded  upon  the  principles  of  everlasting  truth  and 
universal  philanthropy. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    MASTER    OF    THE    FIRST   VEIL. 

COMPANION — I  invest  you  with  the  Blue  Banner, 
which  is  the  ensign  of  your  office,  and  a  sword  for  its 
defence  and  protection.  The  color  of  your  banner  is 
one  of  the  most  durable  and  beautiful  in  nature.  It 
is  the  appropriate  color  adopted  and  worn  by  our  an 
cient  brethren  of  the  three  symbolic  degrees,  and  is  the 
peculiar  characteristic  of  an  institution  which  has  stood 
the  test  of  ages,  and  which  is  as  much  distinguished 
by  the  durability  of  its  materials  or  principles,  as  by 
the  beauty  of  its  superstructure.  It  is  an  emblem  of 
universal  friendship  and  benevolence;  and  instructs 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER.  185 

us,  that  in  the  mind  of  a  Mason  those  virtues  should 
be  as  expansive  as  the  blue  arch  of  heaven  itself.        ' 

CHARGE  TO  THE  THREE  MASTERS  OF  THE  VEILS,  AS 
OVERSEERS. 

COMPANIONS — Those  who  are  placed  as  overseers 
of  any  work,  should  be  well  qualified  to  judge  of  its 
beauties  and  deformities,  its  excellencies  and  defects ; 
they  should  be  capable  of  estimating  the  former,  and 
amending  the  latter.  This  consideration  should  induce 
you  to  cultivate  and  improve  all  those  qualifications 
with  which  you  are  already  endowed,  as  well  as  to 
persevere  in  your  endeavors  to  acquire  those  in  which 
you  are  deficient.  Let  the  various  colors  and  banners 
committed  to  your  charge,  admonish  you  to  the  exer 
cise  of  the  several  virtues  of  which  they  are  emblem 
atic  :  and  you  are  to  enjoin  the  practice  of  those  virtues 
upon  all  who  shall  present  themselves,  or  the  work  of 
their  hands,  for  your  inspection.  Let  no  work  receive 
your  approbation  but  such  as  is  calculated  to  adorn 
and  strengthen  the  masonic  edifice.  Be  industrious 
and  faithful  in  practising  and  disseminating  a  know 
ledge  of  the  true  and  perfect  work  which  alone  can 
stand  the  test  of  the  Grand  Overseer's  Square,  in  the 
great  day  of  trial  and  retribution.  Then,  although 
every  rod  should  become  a  serpent,  and  every  serpent 
an  enemy  to  this  institution,  yet  shall  their  utmost 
exertions  to  destroy  its  reputation,  or  sap  its  foundation, 
become  as  impotent  as  the  leprous  hand,  or  as  water 


186  INSTALLING   A    CHAPTER. 

spilled  upon  the  ground,  which  cannot  be  gathered  up 
again. 

28.  They  then  retire,  and  the  Treasurer  is  presented. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    TREASURER. 

COMPANION — You  are  elected  Treasurer  of  this 
Chapter,  and  I  have  the  pleasure  of  investing  you  with 
the  badge  of  your  office.  The  qualities  which  should 
recommend  a  Treasurer,  are  accuracy  and  fidelity; 
accuracy,  in  keeping  a  fair  and  minute  account  of  all 
receipts  and  disbursements ;  fidelity,  in  carefully  pre 
serving  all  the  property  and  funds  of  the  Chapter  that 
may  be  placed  in  his  hands,  and  rendering  a  just  ac 
count  of  the  same,  whenever  he  is  called  upon  for  that 
purpose,  I  presume  that  your  respect  for  the  institu 
tion,  your  attachment  to  the  interests  of  your  Chapter, 
and  your  regard  for  a  good  name,  which  is  better  than 
precious  ointment,  will  prompt  you  to  the  faithful 
discharge  of  the  duties  of  your  office. 

29.  He  then  retires,  and  the  Secretary  is  presented. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    SECRETARY. 

COMPANION — I  with  pleasure  invest  you  with  your 
badge  as  Secretary  of  this  Chapter.  The  qualities 
which  should  recommend  a  Secretary,  are  promptitude 
in  issuing  the  notifications  and  orders  of  his  superior 
officers ;  punctuality  in  attending  the  convocations  of 
the  Chapter;  correctness  in  recording  their  proceedings ; 


INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

judgment  in  discriminating  between  what  is  proper  and 
what  is  improper  to  be  committed  to  writing ;  regularity 
in  making  his  annual  returns  to  the  Grand  Chapter ; 
integrity  in  accounting  for  all  moneys  that  may  pass 
through  his  hands;  and  fidelity  in  paying  the  same 
over  into  the  hands  of  the  Treasurer.  The  possession 
of  these  good  qualities,  I  presume,  has  designated  you 
as  a  suitable  candidate  for  this  important  office ;  and  I 
cannot  entertain  a  doubt  that  you  will  discharge  its 
duties  beneficially  to  the  Chapter,  and  honorably  to 
yourself.  And  when  you  shall  have  completed  the 
record  of  your  transactions  here  below,  and  finished 
the  term  of  your  probation,  may  you  be  admitted  into 
the  celestial  Grand  Chapter  of  saints  and  angels,  and 
find  your  name  recorded  in  the  book  of  life  eternal. 

30.  He  then  retires,  and  the  Chaplain  is  presented. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    CHAPLAIN. 

E.  AND  REV'D.  COMPANION — You  are  appointed 
Chaplain  of  this  Chapter ;  and  I  now  invest  you  with 
this  circular  Jewel,  the  badge  of  your  office.  It  is 
emblematical  of  eternity,  and  reminds  us  that  here  is 
not  our  abiding  place.  Your  inclination  will  undoubt 
edly  conspire  with  your  duty,  when  you  perform  in  the 
Chapter  those  solemn  services  which  created  beings 
should  constantly  render  to  their  infinite  Creator ;  and 
which,  when  offered  by  one  whose  holy  profession  it 
is,  "to  point  to  heaven  and  lead  the  way/'  may,  by 


188  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

refining  our  morals,  strengthening  our  virtues,  and 
purifying  our  minds,  prepare  us  for  admission  into 
the  society  of  those  above,  whose  happiness  will  be  as 
endless  as  it  is  perfect. 

31.  He  then  retires,  and  the  Stewards  are  presented. 

CHARGE    TO    THE    STEWARDS. 

COMPANIONS — You  are  elected  Stewards  of  this 
Chapter,  I  with  pleasure  invest  you  with  the  badges 
of  your  office.  It  is  your  province  to  see  that  every 
necessary  preparation  is  made  for  the  convenience  and 
accommodation  of  the  Chapter,  previous  to  the  time 
appointed  for  meeting.  You  are  to  see  that  the  clothing, 
implements  and  furniture  of  each  degree  respectively 
are  properly  disposed,  and  in  suitable  array  for  use, 
whenever  they  may  be  required,  and  that  they  are 
secured  and  proper  care  taken  of  them,  when  the 
business  of  the  Chapter  is  over.  You  are  to  see  that 
necessary  refreshments  are  provided,  and  that  all  your 
companions,  and  particularly  visiters,  are  suitably  ac 
commodated  and  supplied.  You  are  to  be  frugal  and 
prudent  in  your  disbursements,  and  to  be  careful  that 
no  extravagance  or  waste  is  committed  in  your  depart 
ment;  and  when  you  have  faithfully  fulfilled  your 
stewardship  here  below,  may  you  receive  from  heaven 
the  happy  greeting  of  "Well  done,  good  and  faithful 
servant." 

32.  They  then  retire,  and  the  Tyleris  presented. 


INSTALLING   A   CHAFfER.  189 

CHARGE    TO    THE    TYLER. 

COMPANION — You  are  appointed  Tyler  of  this  Chap 
ter,  and  I  invest  you  with  the  badge,  and  this  imple 
ment  of  your  office.  As  the  sword  is  placed  in  the 
hands  of  the  Tyler,  to  enable  him  effectually  to  guard 
against  the  approach  of  cowans  and  ems-droppers,  and 
suffer  none  to  pass  or  repass  but  such  as  are  duly 
qualified;  so  it  should  morally  serve  as  a  constant 
admonition  to  us  to  set  a  guard  at  the  entrance  of  our 
thoughts ;  to  place  a  watch  at  the  door  of  our  lips ;  and 
to  post  a  sentinel  at  the  avenue  of  our  actions ;  thereby 
excluding  every  unqualified  and  unworthy  thought, 
word  and  deed;  and  preserving  consciences  void  of 
offence  towards  God  and  towards  man. 

As  the  first  application  from  visiters  for  admission 
into  the  Chapter  is  generally  made  to  the  Tyler  at  the 
door,  your  station  will  often  present  you  to  the  obser 
vation  of  strangers ;  it  is  therefore  essentially  necessary 
that  he  who  sustains  the  office  with  which  you  are  en 
trusted  should  be  a  man  of  good  morals,  steady  habits, 
strict  discipline,  temperate,  affable,  and  discreet.  I 
trust  that  a  regard  for  the  honor  and  reputation  of  the 
institution  will  ever  induce  you  to  perform  with  fidelity 
the  trust  reposed  in  you ;  and  when  the  door  of  this 
earthly  tabernacle  shall  be  closed,  may  you  find  an 
abundant  entrance  through  the  gates  into  the  temple 
and  city  of  our  God. 

33.  He  will  then  retire,  and  then  follows  an 


190  INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER. 

ADDRESS    TO    THE    HIGH    PRIEST. 

M.  E.  COMPANION — Having  been  honored  with  the 
free  suffrage  of  the  members  of  this  Chapter,  you  are 
elected  to  the  most  important  office  which  it  is  within 
their  power  to  bestow.  This  expression  of  their  esteem 
and  respect  should  draw  from  you  corresponding  sen 
sations  ;  and  your  demeanor  should  be  such  as  to  repay 
the  honor  they  have  so  conspicuously  conferred  upon 
you,  by  an  honorable  and  faithful  discharge  of  the 
duties  of  your  office.  The  station  you  are  called  to 
fill  is  important,  not  only  as  it  respects  the  correct 
practice  of  our  rites  and  ceremonies,  and  the  internal 
economy  of  the  Chapter  over  which  you  preside,  but 
the  public  reputation  of  the  institution  will  be  generally 
found  to  rise  or  fall  according  to  the  skill,  fidelity  and 
descretion  with  which  its  concerns  are  managed,  and 
in  proportion  as  the  character  and  conduct  of  its 
principal  officers  are  estimable  or  censurable. 

You  have  accepted  a  trust  to  which  is  attached  a 
weight  of  responsibility  that  will  require  all  your  efforts 
to  discharge  honorably  to  yourself,  and  satisfactorily 
to  the  Chapter.  You  are  to  see  that  your  officers  are 
capable  and  faithful  in  the  exercise  of  their  offices. 
Should  they  lack  ability,  you  are  expected  to  supply 
their  defects ;  you  are  to  watch  carefully  the  progress 
of  their  performances,  and  to  see  that  the  long  estab 
lished  customs  of  the  institution  suffer  no  derangement 
in  their  hands.  You  are  to  have  a  careful  eye  over 
the  general  conduct  of  the  Chapter ;  see  that  due  order 


INSTALLING    A   CHAPTER.  191 

and  subordination  is  observed  on  all  occasions ;  that  the 
members  are  properly  instructed ;  that  due  solemnity  be 
observed  in  the  practice  of  our  rites ;  that  no  improper 
levity  be  permitted  at  any  time,  but  more  especially  at 
the  introduction  of  strangers  among  the  workmen. 

In  fine,  you  are  to  be  an  example  to  your  officers 
and  members,  which  they  need  not  hesitate  to  follow  ; 
thus  securing  to  yourself  the  favor  of  Heaven,  and  the 
applause  of  your  brethren  and  companions. 

ADDRESS    TO   THE   OFFICERS    GENERALLY. 

COMPANIONS  IN  OFFICE — Precept  and  example  should 
ever  advance  with  equal  pace.  Those  moral  duties 
which  you  are  required  to  teach  unto  others,  you  should 
never  neglect  to  practice  yourselves. 

Do  you  desire  that  the  demeanor  of  your  equals  and 
inferiors  towards  you,  should  be  marked  with  deference 
and  respect?  Be  sure  that  you  omit  no  opportunity 
of  furnishing  them  with  examples  in  your  own  conduct 
towards  your  superiors.  Do  you  desire  to  obtain  in 
struction  from  those  who  are  more  wise  or  better  in 
formed  than  yourself  ?  Be  sure  that  you  are  always 
ready  to  impart  of  your  knowledge  to  those  within  your 
sphere,  who  stand  in  need  of,  and  are  entitled  to  receive 
it.  Do  you  desire  distinction  among  your  companions  ? 
Be  sure  that  your  claims  to  preferment  are  founded 
upon  superior  attainments ;  let  no  ambitious  passion  be 
suffered  to  induce  you  to  envy  or  supplant  a  companion 
who  may  be  considered  as  better  qualified  for  promotion 


192  INSTALLING    A    CHAPTER. 

than  yourselves ;  but  rather  let  a  laudable  emulation 
induce  you  to  strive  to  excel  each  other  in  improvement 
and  discipline ;  ever  remembering,  that  he  who  faith 
fully  performs  his  duty,  even  in  a  subordinate  or  private 
station,  is  as  justly  entitled  to  esteem  and  respect,  as 
he  who  is  invested  with  supreme  authority. 

ADDRESS  TO  THE  CHAPTER  AT  LARGE. 

COMPANIONS — The  exercise  and  management  of  the 
sublime  degrees  of  masonry  in  your  Chapter  hitherto, 
are  so  highly  appreciated,  and  the  good  reputation  of 
the  Chapter  so  well  established,  that  I  must  presume 
these  considerations  alone,  were  there  no  others  of 
greater  magnitude,  would  be  sufficient  to  induce  you 
to  preserve  and  perpetuate  this  valuable  and  honorable 
character.  But  when  to  these  is  added  the  pleasure 
which  every  philanthropic  heart  must  feel  in  doing  good, 
in  promoting  good  order,  in  diffusing  light  and  know 
ledge,  in  cultivating  masonic  and  Christian  charity, 
which  are  the  great  objects  of  this  sublime  institution, 
I  cannot  doubt  that  your  future  conduct,  and  that  of 
your  successors,  will  be  calculated  still  to  increase  the 
lustre  of  your  justly  esteemed  reputation. 

May  your  Chapter  become  beautiful  as  the  Temple, 
peaceful  as  the  Ark)  and  sacred  as  its  most  holy  place. 
May  your  oblations  of  piety  and  praise  be  grateful  as 
the  incense;  your  love  warm  as  its  flame,  and  your  chanty 
diffusive  as  its  fragrance.  May  your  hearts  be  pure  as 
the  altar,  and  your  conduct  acceptable  as  the  offering. 


INSTALLING   A   CHAPTER.  193 

May  the  exercise  of  your  chanty  be  as  constant  as  the 
returning  wants  of  the  distressed  uridow  and  helpless 
orphan.  May  the  approbation  of  Heaven  be  your  en 
couragement,  and  the  testimony  of  a  good  conscience 
be  your  support.  May  you  be  endowed  with  every 
good  and  perfect  gift,  while  travelling  the  rugged  path 
of  life,  and  finally  be  admitted  within  the  veil  of  heaven, 
to  the  full  enjoyment  of  life  eternal. 
Amen.  So  mote  it  be. 

34.  The  officers  and  members  of  the  Chapter  will 

then  pass  in  review  in  front  of  the  Grand  Officers,  with 

their  hands  crossed  on  their  breasts,  bowing  as  they 

pass. 

35.  The  Grand  Marshal  will  then  proclaim  the  Chapter, 

by  the  name  of ,  to  be  regularly  constituted, 

and  its  officers  duly  installed. 

36.  The  ceremonies  conclude  with  an  Ode,  or  ap 
propriate  piece  of  music. 

37.  The  procession  is  then  formed,  when  they  return 
to  the  place  whence  they  set  out. 

38.  When  the  Grand  Officers  retire,  the  Chapter 
will  form  an  avenue  for  them  to  pass  through,  and 
salute  them  with  the  grand  honors.     The  two"  bodies 
then  separately  close  their  respective  Chapters. 


13 


MASONIC  FUNERAL  SERVICE, 

AS    ADOPTED    BY    THE 

GBMD  LODGE  OF  OHIO. 


[We  have  concluded  to  add  the  following  Funeral  Service, 
adopted  by  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  :  and  Brethren  may 
elect  which  to  use,  this,  or  that  included  in  the  degree  of 
Past  Master.] 

GENERAL    DIRECTIONS. 

I.  No  brother  can  be  interred  with  the  formalities 
of  the  Order  unless  he  has  received  the  Third  Degree 
in  masonry. 

II.  The  Master  of  a  Lodge  being  notified  of  the 
death  of  a  brother,  and  of  his  request  to  be  buried  with 
masonic  ceremonies,  shall  convene  his  Lodge  and  make 
all  suitable  arrangements  to  that  effect. 

III.  If  two  or  more  Lodges  attend,  the  ceremonies 
will  be  conducted  by  the  Lodge  of  which  the  deceased 
was  a  member.     In  the  case  of  a  Stranger  or  Sojoumer, 
the  Master  of  the  Senior  Lodge  present  will  preside. 

IV.  All  the  brethren  who  walk  in  procession  should 
observe  as  much  as  possible  an  uniformity  of  dress. 
A  proper  badge  of  mourning  around  the  left  arm,  with 


FUNERAL   SERVICE.  195 

white  gloves  and  aprons,  are  most  suitable.  It  is  re 
commended  to  avoid  all  ostentatious  display  of  masonic 
costume. 

V.  Musicians,  if  belonging  to  the  Fraternity,  will 
walk  in  procession  immediately  after  the  Tyler;  if  they 
are  not  Masons,  they  will  precede  him.     Solemn  and 
appropriate  pieces  of  music  only  should  be  performed ; 
all  others  are  especially  interdicted. 

VI.  The  cushion  on  which  the  Holy  Bible  is  placed, 
-hould  be  covered  with  black;  a  piece  of  black  crape 

nould  be  tied  around  all  the  furniture  carried  in  pro- 
Cession,  around  each  Steward's  rod,  and  on  the  musical 
instruments.  The  procession  will  immediately  precede 
the  corpse,  and  the  brethren  walk  two  and  two,  except 
such  officers  as  from  their  station  are  to  walk  otherwise. 

VII.  It  would  be  proper  for  each  Lodge,  when  con 
venient,  to  have  a  pall  of  black  cloth,  velvet,  or  other 
suitable  material,  to  be  used  on  funeral  occasions.     On 
the  coffin  will  be  placed  or  tied  a  white  apron. 

VIII.  If  the  Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
or  Grand  Wardens  attend  any  funeral  procession,  they 
will  take  precedence,  and  preside  over  and  conduct  the 
ceremonies,  unless  they  desire  otherwise.     Their  place 
in  the  procession  will  be  after  the  Master  of  the  Lodge. 
Two  Deacons,  on  the  right  and  left,  will  attend  a  Grand 
Warden.     When  the  Grand  Master,  or  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  is  present,  the  Book  of  Constitutions  is  borne 
before  him,  a  Grand  Sword  Bearer  follows  him,  and 
the  Deacons,  with  black  rods,  are  placed  on  his-  right 


196  FUNERAL   SERVICE. 

and  left,  on  a  line,  seven  feet  apart.  If  a  Past  Grand 
Officer  appears  in  procession,  he  will  be  recognized 
with  the  customary  respect. 

ORDER  OF  PROCESSION. 

The  following  Order  of  Procession  will  be  proper  to  be 

observed,  when  a  single  Lodge  conducts  the  ceremonies: 

Tyler,  with  a  drawn  sword. 

Stewards,  with  white  rods. 

Musicians,  if  they  are  Masons;  otherwise  in  advance 

of  the  Tyler. 

"jg  Master  Masons, 

"g  Mark  Masters. 

j|j  Royal  Arch  Masons. 

Select  Masters. 

Knights  Templars. 

Past  Masters  of  the  Lodge. 

Senior  and  Junior  Deacons. 

Secretary  arid  Treasurer. 
Senior  and  Junior  Wardens. 

The  Holy  Writings  on  a  Cushion,  carried  by  the  oldest 

or  some  suitable  member  of  the  Lodge. 

The  Master. 

Clergy. 


Pall  Bearers.  |PV   Pall  Bearers. 


FUNERAL   SERVICE.  197 

THE  FUNERAL  SERVICE. 

The  brethren  being  assembled  at  the  Lodge-room, 
or  some  other  convenient  place,  the  presiding  officer 
will  open  the  Lodge  on  the  third  degree.  After  hav 
ing  stated  the  object  of  the  meeting,  the  service  will 
commence — all  the  brethren  standing : 

Master.  Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  hath  but  a 
short  time  to  live,  and  is  full  of  misery.  He  cometh 
up,  and  is  cut  down  like  a  flower ;  he  fleeth  as  it  were 
a  shadow,  and  never  continueth  in  one  stay.  In  the 
midst  of  life  we  are  in  death.  Of  whom,  then,  may 
we  seek  for  succor,  but  of  THEE,  0  LORD,  who  for  our 
sins  art  justly  displeased  ? 

My  brethren,  where  is  the  man  that  liveth,  that  shall 
not  see  death  ? 

Response  by  the  brethren.  Man  walketh  in  a  vain 
shadow:  he  heapeth  up  riches,  and  cannot  tell  who 
shall  gather  them. 

Master.     Where  is  now  our  departed  brother? 

Response.  He  dwelleth  in  night;  he  sojourneth  in 
darkness. 

Master.  Can  we  offer  any  precious  thing  to  redeem 
our  brother? 

Response.  We  have  not  the  ransom.  The  place 
that  once  knew  him  shall  know  him  no  more  for  ever. 

Master.     Shall  his  name  be  lost  upon  earth  ? 

Response.  We  will  treasure  it  in  our  memories,  we 
will  record  it  in  our  hearts. 


198  IUNERAL   SERVICE. 

Master.     How  then  will  it  be  known  ? 

Response.     It  shall  live  in  the  exercise  of  his  virtues. 

Master.  When  our  brother  died,  did  he  carry 
nothing  away  with  him  ? 

Response.  He  fulfilled  his  destiny :  Naked  came  he 
into  this  world,  and  naked  he  has  departed  out  of  it. 

Master.  Hear  then  the  conclusion  of  the  whole 
matter :  It  is  the  LORD  only  that  can  give,  and  it  is  the 
LORD  that  hath  taken  away. 

Response.     Messed  forever  be  the  name  of  the  LORD. 

Master.  Let  us  endeavor  to  live  the  life  of  the 
righteous,  that  our  last  end  may  be  like  his. 

Response.  God  is  our  God  for  ever  and  ever.  He 
will  be  our  guide  and  our  support,  even  through  the 
dark  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death. 

Master.  I  heard  a  voice  from  Heaven,  saying  unto 
.me:  "Write,  from  henceforth,  blessed  are  the  dead 
who  die  in  the  Lord ;  even  so,  saith  the  Spirit,  for  they 
rest  from  their  labors." 

The  Master  here  takes  the  roll,  on  which  is  inscribed 
the  name  and  age  of  the  deceased,  and  says : 

ALMIGHTY  FATHER!  in  thy  hands  we  leave,  with 
humble  submission,  the  soul  of  our  departed  brother. 

The  brethren  will  answer  three  times,  giving  the 
grand  honors  each  time : 

The  will  of  GOD  is  accomplished.     So  be  it. 
The  Master  here  deposits  the  roll,  and  repeats  the 
following,  or  some  other  suitable  prayer : 


FUNERAL   SERVICE.  199 

Most  glorious  and  merciful  Lord  God,  Author  of  all 
good,  and  Giver  of  every  perfect  gift ;  pour  down,  we 
implore  Thee,  thy  blessing  upon  us:  and  under  the 
deep  solemnities  of  this  occasion,  bind  us  yet  closer 
together  in  the  ties  of  brotherly  love  and  affection. 
May  the  present  instance  of  mortality  sensibly  remind 
us  of  our  approaching  fate,  and  may  it  have  an  influence 
to  wean  our  affections  from  the  things  of  this  transitory 
world,  and  to  fix  them  more  devotedly  upon  Thee,  the 
only  sure  refuge  in  time  of  need.  And  at  last,  Great 
Parent  of  the  Universe,  when  our  journey  shall  be  near 
its  end ;  when  the  silver  cord  shall  be  loosed,  and  the 
golden  bowl  be  broken ;  oh !  in  that  moment  of  mortal 
extremity,  may  the  "lamp  of  thy  love"  dispel  the  gloom 
of  the  dark  valley ;  and  may  we  be  enabled  to  "  work 
an  entrance"  into  the  Celestial  Lodge  above,  and  in  thy 
glorious  presence,  amidst  its  ineffable  mysteries,  enjoy 
a  union  with  the  souls  of  our  departed  friends,  perfect 
as  is  the  happiness  of  Heaven,  and  durable  as  the 
eternity  of  God.  Amen.  So  mote  it  be. 

[The  above  ceremonies  may  be  performed  either  at 
the  Lodge,  the  house  of  the  deceased,  or  in  the  church 
edifice,  if  the  corpse  be  taken  there,  and  religious  ser 
vices  be  performed.  If  at  the  house  of  the  deceased, 
the  Master  will  take  his  station  at  the  head  of  the  coffin, 
which  will  be  uncovered,  the  Wardens  at  the  foot,  and 
the  brethren  around  it,  and  commence  as  above  pre 
scribed.  At  the  conclusion  the  coffin  will  be  closed. 
If  in  the  church,  immediately  after  the  benediction,  the 
Master,  Wardens,  and  brethren  will  place  themselves 


200  FUNERAL    SERVICE. 

as  above  directed,  when  the  ceremonies  will  be  com 
menced.] 

A  procession  will  then  again  be  formed,  and  march 
to  the  place  of  interment  in  the  order  prescribed.  The 
members  of  the  Lodge  will  form  a  circle  round  the 
grave.  The  clergy  and  officers  will  take  their  station 
at  the  head,  and  the  mourners  at  the  foot,  when  the 
service  will  be  resumed  by  the  Master,  as  follows : 

"The  hand  of  the  Lord  was  upon  me,  and  carried 
me  out  in  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  and  set  me  down  in 
the  midst  of  the  valley  which  was  full  of  bones. 

"And  caused  me  to  pass  by  them  round  about!  and 
behold,  there  were  very  many  in  the  open  valley ;  and 
lo,  they  were  very  dry. 

"And  he  said  unto  me,  Son  of  Man,  can  these  bones 
live?  And  I  answered,  0  Lord  God,  thou  knowest. 

"Again  he  said  unto  me,  prophesy  upon  these  bones, 
and  say  unto  them,  0  ye  dry  bones,  hear  the  word  of 
the  Lord, 

"  Thus  saith  the  Lord  God  unto  these  bones :  Behold, 
I  will  cause  breath  to  enter  into  you,  and  ye  shall  live : 

"And  I  will  lay  sinews  upon  you,  and  will  bring  up 
flesh  upon  you,  and  cover  you  with  skin,  and  put  breath 
in  you,  and  ye  shall  live;  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am 
the  Lord. 

"So  I  prophesied  as  I  was  commanded;  and  as  I 
prophesied  there  was  a  noise,  and  behold,  a  shaking, 
and  the  bones  came  together  bone  to  his  bone. 

"  And  when  I  beheld,  lo !  the  sinews  and  the  flesh 


FUNERAL   SERVICE.  201 

came  upon  them,  and  the  skin  covered  them  above : 
but  there  was  no  breath  in  them. 

•"Then  said  He  unto  me,  prophesy  unto  the  wind; 
prophesy,  Son  of  Man,  and  say  to  the  wind,  Thus  saith 
the  Lord  God,  Come  from  the  four  winds,  0  breath, 
and  breathe  upon  these  slain,  that  they  may  live. 

"So  I  prophesied  as  he  commanded  me,  and  the 
breath  came  into  them,  and  they  lived,  and  stood  upon 
their  feet." 

My  Brethren :  We  are  again  called  upon  by  a  most 
solemn  admonition  to  regard  the  uncertainty  of  human 
life,  the  immutable  certainty  of  death,  and  the  vanity 
of  all  earthly  pursuits.  Decripitude  and  decay  are 
written  in  every  living  thing.  The  cradle  and  the 
coffin  stand  in  juxtaposition  to  each  other;  and  it  is  a 
melancholy  truth,  that  so  soon  as  we  begin  to  live,  that 
moment  also  we  begin  to  die.  Weakness  and  imper 
fection  are  the  incidents  of  our  fallen  condition;  the 
damp,  dark  grave  is  our  destiny  and  our  doom.  What 
an  eloquent  commentary  is  here  exhibited  upon  the 
instability  of  every  human  pursuit ;  and  how  touchingly 
does  it  echo  the  sad  sentiment  of  the  great  preacher, 
who  wrote  for  our  perpetual  warning,  the  immortal 
text,  Vanity  of  vanities,  all  is  vanity. 

The  last  offices  that  we  pay  to  the  dead  are  useless 
things  except  as  they  constitute  lessons  to  the  living. 
The  cold,  marble  form  enclosed  in  the  "narrow  house" 
before  you,  is  alike  insensible  to  our  sorrows  and  our 
ceremonies.  It  matters  not  now  to  him,  whether  two 


202  FUNERAL  SERVICE. 

or  three  gather  around  the  grave  to  perform  his  funeral 
ritual;  or  that  hundreds  have  assembled,  with  the 
banners  and  insignia  of  our  Order,  to  deposite  him  in 
his  final  resting  place.  It  is  of  little  moment  how,  or 
in  what  manner,  his  obsequies  are  performed ;  whether 
the  wild  winds  chant  his  requiem,  or  it  be  accompanied 
with  rare  and  costly  music,  and  the  minstrelsy  of  many 
voices.  He  has  gone  to  accomplish  the  fearful  destiny 
of  all  our  race,  and  his  body,  in  the  profound  slumbei 
of  ihe  grave,  to  be  desolved  into  its  original  elements. 

What,  then,  are  all  the  externals  of  human  dignity, 
the  power  of  wealth,  the  dreams  of  ambition,  the  pride 
of  intellect,  or  the  charms  of  beauty,  when  nature  has 
paid  her  just  debt?  Fix  your  eyes  on  the  last  sad 
scene,  and  view  humanity  stript  of  its  dazzling,  mere 
tricious  ornaments ;  and  you  must  needs  be  persuaded 
of  the  utter  emptiness  of  these  delusions.  The  monarch 
of  an  hundred  provinces,  at  whose  bidding  nations  pay 
obeisance,  and  the  poor  beggar  that  shivers  at  his  gate, 
are  equals  in  the  house  of  death.  The  one  is  obliged 
to  part  with  his  sceptre  and  his  crown — the  other  has 
no  further  use  for  his  wallet  and  his  rags — and  both 
are  indebted  to  their  Mother  Earth  for  a  common  sep 
ulchre.  In  the  grave  all  fallacies  are  detected,  all 
ranks  are  leveled,  and  all  distinctions  are  done  away. 

While  we  drop  the  sympathetic  tear  over  the  grave 
of  our  departed  brother,  let  us  cast  around  his  foibles, 
whatever  they  may  have  been,  the  broad  mantle  of  a 
Mason's  chanty,  nor  withhold  from  his  memory  the 


FUNERAL   SERVICE.  203 

commendation  that  his  virtues  claim  at  our  hands.  It 
is  of  record,  in  the  volume  of  Eternal  Truth,  that  per 
fection  on  earth  can  never  be  attained.  The  best  of 
created  men  did  most  grievously  err,  and  the  wisest  of 
our  race  went  sadly  estray.  Suffer,  then,  the  apologies 
of  human  nature  to  plead  in  behalf  of  him  who  cannot 
any  longer  extenuate  for  himself. 

The  following  invocations  are  then  made : 


o 


Master.  May  we  be  true  and  faithful  to  each  other, 
and  may  we  live  and  die  in  love. 

Response.     So  mote  it  be. 

Master.  May  we  profess  what  is  good,  and  always 
act  agreeably  to  our  profession. 

Response.     So  mote  it  be. 

Master.  May  the  Lord  bless  us  and  keep  us ;  may 
the  Lord  be  gracious  unto  us,  and  may  all  our  good 
intentions  be  crowned  with  success. 

Response.     So  mote  it  be. 

Master.  Glory  be  to  God  in  the  highest :  on  earth 
peace,  and  good  will  towards  men. 

Response.  So  mote  it  be ;  now,  henceforth,  and  for 
ever.  Amen. 

The  service  is  then  resumed  by  the  Master,  as  follows: 

I  am  the  ressurrection  and  the  life,  saith  the  Lord ; 
he  that  believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall 
he  live ;  and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall 
never  die. 


204  FUNERAL   SERVICE. 

Here  the  apron  is  taken  from  the  coffin  and  handed 
to  the  Master,  and  the  corpse  is  made  ready  to  be  laid 
in  the  earth,  when  the  service  is  resumed : 

Forasmuch  as  it  has  pleased  Almighty  God,  in  his 
wise  Providence,  to  take  out  of  the  world  the  soul  of 
our  deceased  brother,  we  therefore  commit  his  body  to 
the  ground.  [Here  deposit  the  coffin.]  Earth  to  earth, 
ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust;  looking  for  a  general 
resurrection  in  the  last  day,  when  the  earth  and  the  sea 
shall  give  up  their  dead. 

The  Secretary  will  then  advance  and  deposit  the  roll 
in  the  grave  with  the  usual  form. 

Master.  Friend  and  brother !  we  bid  thee  a  last,  a 
long  FAREWELL!  Thou  art  at  rest  from  thy  labors;  may 
it  be  in  peace ! 

Response.     Amen.     So  mote  it  be. 

If  circumstances  will  permit,  it  will  be  proper  at  this 
stage  of  the  proceedings,  to  sing  the  following,  or  some 
other  appropriate  Hymn ;  or  it  may  be  repeated  by  the 
Master,  or  omitted  entirely,  as  shall  be  considered  best : 


FUNERAL    SERVICE. 

FUNERAL  HYMN. 


205 


-*—-* 


1  Thou  art      gone         to        the    grave,       but     we 

2  Thou  art      gone         to        the    grave,       we      no 

grave,       and     its 


b 


Thou  art      gone         to        the    grave,       and     its 

^ZZ5T 


4  Thou  art      gone         to       the    grave,      but   'twere 


will  not    de  -  plore  thee,  Tho'  sorrows  ajid    darkness  en- 


Ion-  ger   be  -  hold  thee,  Nor  tread  the  rough  path  of     the 


mansions  for  -  sa-ken,    Per-haps  thy  tried  spi  -  rit     iu 


wrong  to    de-plore  thee,  When  God  was  thy  ransom,  thy 


206 


FUNERAL   SERVICE. 


compass  the    tomb.        The      Saviour  has  passed  thro'  its 


O s_wJI_. — _]__», 

t  z^rtrt:  -~i — M- 


world  by  thy    side  ;     But  the  wide  arms  of    mer-cy  are 


doubt  lingered     long;    But  the  sunshine  of  heaven  beamed 


guardian  and    guide  ;      He    gave  thee,  and  took  thee,  and 


—& —     T  -r— p-h  -jr-JV— • r — 

por  -  tals       be  -  fore    thee,    And  the  lamp  of      his 


spread  to        en  -  fold     thee,    And      sin  -  ners    may 
bright  on       thy     wak  -  ing,    And  the  song  that    thou 


soon,  will      re  -  s.tore     thee,  Where  death  hath    no 


FUNERAL   SERVICE. 


207 


love      is        thy    guide  through  the    gloom.        And  the 


hope    since  the      Sa  -  viour  hath    died,  And  the 


. 


heardst  was    the      ser   -   a  -  phim's    song,  And 


sting,  since    the      Sa  -  viour    hath  died,  Where 


lamp    of     his       love      is    thy      guide  thro'  the    gloom. 


sin  -  ners  may    hope  since  the       Sa  -  viour  hath  died. 


song  that  thou  heardst  was  the      ser    -    a-phim's  song. 


death  hath   no      sting,  since  the      Sa  -  viour  hath  died. 


208  FUNERAL    SERVICE. 

The  service  is  then  resumed  by  the  Master,  who, 
presenting  the  apron,  says, 

This  Lambskin,  or  white  Apron,  is  an  emblem  of 
Innocence,  and  the  badge  of  a  Mason.  It  is  more 
ancient  than  the  Golden  Fleece  or  the  Roman  Eagle ; 
more  honorable  than  the  Star  and  Garter. 

The  Master  then  deposits  it  in  the  grave. 

This  emblem  I  now  deposit  in  the  grave  of  our 
deceased  brother.  By  this  we  are  reminded  of  the 
universal  domination  of  Death.  The  arm  of  friendship 
cannot  interpose  to  prevent  his  coming ;  the  wealth  of 
the  world  cannot  purchase  our  release;  nor  will  the 
innocence  of  youth,  or  the  charms  of  beauty  propitiate 
his  purpose.  The  mattock,  the  coffin,  and  the  melan 
choly  grave,  admonish  us  of  our  mortality,  and  that, 
sooner  or  later,  these  frail,  weak  bodies  must  mouldei 
in  their  parent  dust. 

The  Master,  holding  the  evergreen  in  his  hand,  con 

tinues : 

This  Evergreen  is  an  emblem  of  our  faith  in  the 
immortality  of  the  soul.  By  this  we  are  reminded  of 
our  high  and  glorious  destiny  beyond  the  "  world  of 
shadows,"  and  that  there  dwells  within  our  tabernacle 
of  clay,  an  imperishable,  immortal  spirit,  over  which 
the  grave  has  no  dominion,  and  death  no  power. 

The  brethren  will  now  move  in  procession  round 


FUNERAL   SERVJOE.  '209 

the  place  of  interment,  and  severally  drop  the  sprig  of 
evergreen  in  the  grave;  after  which  the  public  grand 
honors  are  given.  The  Master  then  continues  the 
ceremony  in  the  following  words : 

From  time  immemorial,  it  has  been  the  custom 
among  the  fraternity  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons, 
at  the  request  of  a  brother,  to  accompany  his  corpse  to 
the  place  of  interment,  there  to  deposit  it  with  the  usual 
formalities. 

In  conformity  to  this  ancient  usage,  and  at  the  request 
of  our  deceased  brother,  we  have  assembled  at  this 
time,  in  the  character  of  Masons,  to  offer  up,  before 
the  world,  the  last  tribute  of  our  affection;  and  thereby 
to  demonstrate,  in  the  strongest  possible  manner,  the 
sincerity  of  our  past  esteem  for  him,  and  our  steady 
attachment  to  the  principles  of  the  Order. 

To  those  of  his  immediate  relatives  and  friends,  who 
are  most  heart-stricken  at  the  loss  we  have  all  sustained, 
we  have  nothing  of  this  world's  consolation  to  offer. 
We  can  only  sincerely,  deeply,  and  most  affectionately, 
sympathize  with  them  in  their  afflictive  bereavement. 
But,  in  the  beautiful  spirit  of  the  Christian's  theology, 
we  dare  to  say,  that  HE  who  "tempers  the  wind  to  the 
shorn  lamb,"  looks  down  with  infinite  compassion  upon 
the  widow  and  fatherless  in  the  hour  of  their  desola 
tion  ;  and  that  the  same  benevolent  Saviour,  who  wept 
while  here  on  earth,  will  fold  the  arms  of  His  love  and 
14 


210  FUNERAL   SERVICE. 

protection  around  those  who  put  their  trust  and  con 
fidence  in  HIM. 

Then  let  us  each,  in  our  respective  spheres,  so  im 
prove  this  solemn  warning  of  our  God,  that  at  last, 
when  the  "sheeted  dead"  are  stirring,  when  the  "great 
white  throne"  is  set,  and  the  volume  of  the  record  of 
our  lives  is  opened,  we  may  receive  from  the  Omniscient 
Eternal  Judge,  the  thrilling  invitation,  "Come,  ye 
blessed  of  My  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared 
for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world." 

The  service  is  concluded  with  the  following,  or  some 
other  suitable  Prayer : 

Almighty  and  most  merciful  God,  in  whom  we  live, 
and  move,  and  have  our  being,  and  before  whom  all 
men  must  appear  to  render  an  account  for  the  deeds 
done  in  the  body ;  we  do  most  earnestly  beseech  Thee, 
as  we  now  surround  the  grave  of  our  fallen  brother,  to 
impress  deeply  upon  our  minds  the  solemnities  of  this 
day.  May  we  ever  remember  that  "in  the  midst  of 
life  we  are  in  death,"  and  so  live  and  act  our  several 
parts  as  we  will  desire  to  have  done,  when  the  hour  of 
our  departure  is  at  hand. 

And  oh  !  Gracious  Father,  vouchsafe  us,  we  pray 
Thee,  thy  Divine  assistance,  to  redeem  our  misspent 
time;  and  in  the  discharge  of  the  duties  thou  hast 
assigned  us,  in  the  erection  of  our  moral  edifice,  may 
we  have  wisdom  from  on  high  to  direct  us ;  strength 
commensurate  with  our  task  to  support  us;  and  the 
beauty  of  holiness  to  adorn  and  render  all  our  perform 
ances  acceptable  in  Thy  sight.  And  at  last,  when  our 
work  on  earth  is  done,  when  the  mallet  of  death  shall 
call  us  from  our  labors,  may  we  obtain  a  blessed  and 


FUNERAL    SERVICE.  211 

everlasting  rest  in  that  Spiritual  House,  not  made  with 
hands,  eternal  in  the  Heavens. 
Amen.     So  mote  it  be. 

The  procession  will  then  return  to  the  place  whence 
it  set  out,  where  the  necessary  duties  are  complied  w.ith, 
and  the  Lodo-c  is  closed  in  the  third  depree. 


CONSTITUTIONS. 


The  following  "Ancient  Constitutions  are  obligatory,  as 
fundamental  regulations,  in  all  parts  of  the  "world,"  and  it  is 
therefore  highly  important  that  they  should  be  accessible  to 
every  Mason.  To  accomplish  this  more  fully,  it  has  been 
thought  advisable  to  include  them  in  the  present  volume. 

CHAPTER  I. 

OF  THOSE  WHO  WOULD  BE  FREE  AND  ACCEPTED   MASONS. 

BEFORE  we  enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  operative 
Mason,  in  the  various  offices  to  which  he  may  be  called 
in  the  Lodge,  it  is  proper  to  give  some  account  of  what 
is  absolutely  requisite  in  all  who  aspire  to  partake  of  the 
sublime  honors  of  those  who  are  duly  initiated  into  the 
mysteries  and  instructed  in  the  art  of  ancient  masonry. 

Section  First. 

OF    GOD    AND    RELIGION. 

Whoever,  from  love  of  knowledge,  interest,  or  cu 
riosity,  desires  to  be  a  Mason,  is  to  know  that,  as  his 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  213 

foundation  and  great  corner  stone,  he  is  firmly  to  believe 
in  the  eternal  God,  and  to  pay  that  worship  which  is 
due  to  Him  as  the  great  Architect  and  Governor  of  the 
Universe. 

A  Mason  must  observe  the  moral  law.  And  if  he 
rightly  understand  the  royal  art,  he  will  never  be  an 
atheist,  or  an  irreligious  libertine;  and  will  never  act 
against  the  great  inward  light  of  his  own  conscience. 

He  will  likewise  shun  the  errors  of  bigotry  and 
superstition;  'making  a  due  use  of  his  own  reason, 
according  to  that  liberty  wherewith  a  Mason  is  made 
free :  for  though  in  ancient  times,  Masons  were  charged 
to  comply  with  the  religious  opinions  and  usages  of  the 
country  or  nation  where  they  sojourned  or  worked,  yet 
it  is  now  thought  most  expedient  that  the  brethren  in 
general  should  only  be  charged  to  adhere  to  the  essen 
tials  of  religion,  in  which  all  men  agree;  leaving  each 
brother  to  his  own  judgment  as  to  particular  forms. 
Whence  being  good  men  and  true,  of  unsullied  honor 
and  unfailing  honesty,  the  Order  becomes  the  center 
of  union,  and  the  means  of  conciliating  true  friendship.' 

Section  Second. 

OF   GOVERNMENT,    AND    THE    CIVIL   MAGISTRATE. 

"Whoever  would  be  a  true  Mason  is  farther  to  know, 
that,  by  the  privileges  of  his  Order,  his  obligations  as 
a  subject  and  citizen  will  not  be  relaxed,  but  enforced. 
He  is  to  be  a  lover  of  peace,  and  obedient  to  the  civil 
powers  which  yield  him  protection,  and  are,  set  over 


214  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

him,  where  he  resides  or  works.  Nor  can  a  real 
Craftsman  ever  be  concerned  in  conspiracies  against  the 
State,  or  be  disrespectful  to  the  magistrate;  because 
the  welfare  of  his  country  is  his  most  happy  object. 

Now  if  any  brother,  forgetting  for  a  time  the  rules 
of  his  craft,  and  listening  to  evil  councils,  should  un 
happily  fall  into  a  contrary  conduct,  he  is  not  to  be 
countenanced  in  his  crimes  or  rebellion  against  the  State; 
but  he  forfeits  all  the  benefits  of  the  Lodge,  and  his 
fellows  will  refuse  to  associate  or  converse  with  him  in 
private,  while  he  continues  in  his  guilt ;  that  no  offence 
may  be  given  to  lawful  government.  Such  a  person, 
however,  is  still  considered  as  a  Mason,  his  title  hitherto 
being  indefeasible;  and  hopes  are  to  be  entertained, 
and  endeavors  used,  that  the  rules  of  the  craft  may 
again  recover  him  to  his  duty. 

From  the  constant  desire  of  true  Masons,  to  adorn  the 
countries  where  they  reside  with  all  useful  arts,  crafts, 
and  improvements,  they  have  been,  from  the  earliest 
ages,  encouraged  and  protected  by  the  wisest  rulers  of 
States  and  Commonwealths ;  who  have  likewise  thought 
it  an  honor  to  have  their  names  enrolled  among  the 
fraternity,  and  have  become  the  patrons  of  the  Craft. 
And  thus  masonry,  having  alway  nourished  most  in  the 
peaceable  times  of  every  country,  and  having  suffered 
in  a  particular  manner  through  the  calamitous  effects 
of  war,  the  craftsmen  are  the  more  strongly  engaged 
and  inclined  to  act  agreeably  to  the  prime  principles  of 
their  art,  in  following  peace  and  love,  as  far  as  possible, 
with  all  men. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  215 

And  as  political  affairs  have  occasioned  discord 
amongst  the  nearest  relations  and  most  intimate  friends, 
Masons  are  enjoined  never  to  speak  of,  or  discuss  them 
in  the  Lodge. 

Section  Third. 

OF   PRIVATE    DUTIES. 

Whoever  would  be  a  Mason  should  know  how  to 
practice  all  the  private  virtues.  He  should  avoid  all 
manner  of  intemperance  or  excess,  which  might  prevent 
his  performance  of  the  laudable  duties  of  his  craft,  or 
lead  him  into  enormities,  which  would  reflect  dishonor 
upon  the  ancient  fraternity.  He  is  to  be  industrious 
in  his  profession,  and  true  to  the  Lord  and  Master  he 
serves.  He  is  to  labor  justly,  and  not  to  eat  any  man's 
bread  for  nought ;  but  to  pay  truly  for  his  meat  and 
drink.  What  leisure  his  labor  allows,  he  is  to  employ 
in  studying  the  arts  and  sciences  with  a  diligent  mind, 
that  he  may  the  better  perform  all  his  duties  to  his 
Creator,  his  country,  his  neighbor,  and  himself. 

He  is  to  seek  and  acquire,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
virtues  of  patience,  meekness,  self -denial,  forbearance,  and 
the  like ;  which  give  him  the  command  over  himself, 
and  enable  him  to  govern  his  own  family  with  affection, 
dignity,  £0hd  prudence ;  at  the  same  time  checking  every 
disposition  injurious  to  the  world,  and  promoting  that 
love  and  service  which  brethren  of  the  same  household 
owe  to  each  other. 

Therefore,  to  afford  succor  to  the  distressed,  to  divide 


210  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

our  bread  with  the  industrious  poor,  and  to  put  the 
misguided  traveller  into  the  way,  are  duties  of  the  craft, 
suitable  to  the  dignity,  and  expressive  of  its  usefulness. 
But  though  a  Mason  is  never  to  shut  his  ear  unkindly 
against  the  complaints  of  any  of  the  human  race,  yet, 
when  a  brother  is  oppressed  cr  suffers,  he  is  in  a  more 
peculiar  manner  called  to  open  his  whole  soul  in  love 
and  compassion  to  him,  and  to  relieve  him  without 
prejudice,  according  to  his  capacity. 

It  is  also  necessary,  that  all  who  would  be  true  Masons 
should  learn  to  abstain  from  all  malice,  slander,  and  evil 
speaking ;  from  all  provoking,  reproachful  and  ungodly 
language ;  keeping  always  a  tongue  of  good  report. 

A  Mason  should  know  how  to  obey  those  who  are 
set  over  him,  however  inferior  they  may  be  in  worldly 
rank  or  condition.  For  although  masonry  divests  no 
man  of  his  honors  and  titles,  yet  in  the  Lodge,  pre 
eminence  of  virtue,  and  knowledge  in  the  royal  art,  art 
considered  as  the  true  source  of  all  nobility,  rule  an<? 
government. 

The  virtue  indispensably  requisite  in  Masons,  ii 
secrecy.  This  is  the  guard  of  their  confidence,  and  the 
security  of  their  trust.  So  great  stress  is  to  be  lai(? 
upon  it,  that  it  is  enforced  under  the  strongest  penalties 
and  obligations ;  nor  is  their  esteem  in  any  «ian  to  be 
accounted  wise,  who  has  not  intellectual  strength  anc* 
ability  sufficient  to  cover  and  conceal  such  honesi 
secrets  as  are  committed  to  him,  as  well  as  his  own 
more  serious  and  private  affairs. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  217 

Section  Fourth. 

OF   PREREQUISITES. 

No  person  is  capable  of  becoming  a  member,  unless, 
together  with  the  virtues  aforementioned,  or  at  least  a 
disposition  to  seek  and  acquire  them,  he  is  also  free 
born ;  of  mature  and  discreet  age ;  of  good  report ;  of 
sufficient  natural  endowments,  and  the  senses  of  a  man; 
with  an  estate,  office,  trade,  occupation,  or  some  visible 
way  of  acquiring  an  honest  livelihood,  and  of  working 
in  his  craft,  as  becomes  the  members  of  this  most  an 
cient  and  honorable  fraternity, 'who  ought  not  only  to 
earn  what  is  sufficient  for  themselves  and  families,  but 
likewise  something  to  spare  for  works  of  charity,  and 
supporting  the  true  dignity  of  the  Royal  Craft.  Every 
person  desiring  admission  must  also  be  upright  in  body, 
nofc  deformed  or  dismembered,  at  the  time  of  making ; 
but  of  hale  and  entire  limbs,  as  a  man  ought  to  be. 

No  brother  shall  propose  for  admission  into  this  an 
cient  and  honorable  society,  any  person  through  friend 
ship  or  partiality,  who  does  not  possess  the  moral  and 
social  virtues,  a  sound  head  and  a  good  heart ;  and  who 
has  not  an  entire  exemption  from  all  those  ill  qualities 
and  vices,  which  would  bring  dishonor  on  the  Craft, 

Section  Fifth. 

INSTRUCTIONS   FOR   THE    CANDIDATE. 

A  strict  though  private  and  impartial  inquiry  will  be 
made  into  the  character  and  ability  of  the  candidate, 


218  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

before  lie  can  be  admitted  into  any  Lodge :  and  by  the 
rules  of  masonry,  no  friend,  who  can  wish  to  propose 
him,  may  show  him  any  favor.  But  if  he  have  a  friend 
who  is  a  Mason,  and  is  every  way  satisfied,  his  duty  is 
described  as  follows : 

Section  Sixth. 

OF    PROPOSING    CANDIDATES. 

Every  person  desirous  of  being  made  a  Freeemason 
in  any  Lodge  shall  be  proposed  by  a  member,  who 
shall  give  an  account  of  the  candidate's  name,  age, 
quality,  title,  trade,  place  of  residence,  description  of 
his  person,  and  other  necessary  requisites,  as  mentioned 
in  the  foregoing  sections.  And  it  is  generally  required, 
that  such  proposal  be  also  seconded  by  some  one  or 
more  members  who  -Are  acquainted  with  the  candidate. 
Such  proposals  shall  also  be  made  in  Lodge  hours,  at 
least  one  Lodge  night  before  initiation,  in  order  that 
the  brethren  may  have  sufficient  time  and  opportunity 
to  make  a  strict  inquiry  into  the  morals,  character,  and 
circumstances  of  the  candidate,  for  which  purpose  a 
special  committee  is  sometimes  appointed. 

The  brother  who  proposes  a  candidate  shall,  at  the 
same  time  deposit  such  a  sum  of  money  for  him  as  the 
rules  or  by-laws  of  the  Lodge  may  require,  which  is 
forfeited  to  the  Lodge  if  the  candidate  should  not  attend 
according  to  his  proposal,  but  is  to  be  returned  to  him 
if  he  should  not  be  approved  or  elected.  In  case  he 
be  elected,  he  is  to  pay,  in  addition  to  his  deposit,  such 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  219 

further  sum  as  the  laws  of  the  Lodge  may  require,  and 
clothe  the  Lodge,  or  make  some  other  present,  as  his 
circumstances  will  admit  and  the  brethren  agree  to  ac 
cept,  for  the  benefit  of  the  craft  and  distressed  members. 

Section  Seventh. 

THE    CANDIDATE. 

He  has  a  right,  before  his  admission,  to  desire  Lis 
friend  to  show  him  the  Warrant,  or  Dispensation,  by 
which  the  Lodge  is  held;  which,  if  genuine,  he  will 
find  to  be  an  instrument  written  or  printed  upon  parch 
ment,  and  signed  by  some  Grand  Master,  his  Deputy, 
the  Grand  Wardens  and  Grand  Secretary,  sealed  with 
the  Grand  Lodge  seal,  constituting  particular  persons 
therein  named,  as  Master  and  Wardens,  with  full  power 
to  congregate  and  hold  a  Lodge  at  such  a  place,  and 
therein  ''make  and  admit  Freemasons,  according  to  the 
most  ancient  and  honorable  customs  of  the  Royal  Craft, 
in  all  ages  and  nations  throughout  the  known  world, 
with  full  power  and  authority  to  nominate  and  choose 
their  successors,"  &c. 

He  may  also  request  the  perusal  of  the  by-laws, 
which  being  short,  he  may  read  in  the  presence  of  his 
friend,  and  be  shown  a  list  of  the  members  of  the  Lodge; 
by  all  which  he  will  be  better  able  to  judge  whether  he 
could  associate  with  them,  and  render  a  ready  confor 
mity  to  their  rules.  Being  thus  FREE  to  judge  for  him 
self,  he  will  not  be  liable  to  the  dangers  of  deception. 
But,  on  the  contrary,  will  be  admitted  into  a  society 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

where  lie  may  converse  with  men  of  honor  and  honesty 
— be  exercised  in  all  the  offices  of  brotherly  love,  and 
be  made  acquainted  with  some  things  of  which  it  is  not 
lawful  to  speak  or  make  known  OUT  OF  THE  LODGE. 

Previously  to  his  introduction,  every  candidate  ought 
to  subscribe  the  following  declaration : 

I,  A.  B.,  do  seriously  declare,  upon  my  honor,  that 
unbiassed  by  friends,  and  uninfluenced  by  unworthy 
motives,  I  freely  and  voluntarily  offer  myself  a  candi 
date  for  the  mysteries  of  Freemasonry ;  that  I  am  solely 
prompted  by  a  favorable  opinion  conceived  of  the  in 
stitution,  a  desire  of  knowledge,  and  a  sincere  wish  to 
be  serviceable  to  my  fellow  creatures ;  and  that  I  will 
cheerfully  conform  to  the  ancient  established  usages 
and  customs  of  the  society. 

"As  witness  my  hand,  this  day  of 

in  the  year  A.  D. 

Witnesses,  A'  B'" 


CHAPTER  II. 
OF  A  LODGE  AND  ITS  GOVERNMENT. 

Section  First. 

OF    A    LODGE. 

A  Lodge  is  a  place  where  Masons  assemble  and 
work :  hence  that  assembly,  or  duly  organized  society 
of  Masons,  is  called  a  Lodge,  and  every  brother  ought 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  221 

tp  belong  to  one,  and  to  be  subject  to  its  by-laws  and 
the  general  regulations.  It  is  either  particular  or 
general,  and  will  be  best  understood  by  attending  it, 
and  by  the  regulations  of  the  General  or  Grand  Lodge 
hereunto  annexed.  In  ancient  times,  no  Master  or 
Fellow  could  be  absent  from  it,  especially  when  warned 
to  appear  at  it,  without  incurring  a  severe  censure, 
until  it  appeared  to  the  Master  and  Wardens  that  pure 
necessity  hindered  him. 

Section  Second. 

OF    OFFICERS    AND    MEMBERS    IN    GENERAL. 

A  Lodge  ought  to  assemble  for  work  at  least  once 
in  every  calendar  month;  and  must  consist  of  one 
Master;  two  Wardens,  senior  and  junior;  one  Secre 
tary,  one  Treasurer,  two  Deacons,  one  or  more  Stew 
ards,  a  Tyler,  and  as  many  members  as  the  Master 
and  the  majority  of  the  Lodge  shall  think  proper; 
although  more  than  forty  or  fifty,  when  they  can 
attend  regularly,  as  the  wholesome  rules  of  the  craft 
require,  are  generally  found  inconvenient  for  working 
to  advantage ;  and,  therefore,  when  a  Lodge  comes  to 
be  thus  numerous,  some  of  the  ablest  Master  workmen, 
and  others  under  their  direction,  will  obtain  leave  to 
separate  and  apply  to  the  Grand  Lodge  for  a  Warrant 
to  work  by  themselves,  in  order  to  the  advancement 
of  the  craft,  as  the  laws  hereafter  to  be  delivered  will 
more  particularly  show. 

Every  member  of  a  working  Lodge  should  be  a 
Master  Mason. 


222  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

Section   Third. 

OF    THE    MASTER HIS    ELECTION,    OFFICE    AND    DUTY. 

All  preferment  among  Masons  depends  on  real  worth 
and  personal  merit  only,  that  the  society  may  be  well 
served,  and  the  Royal  Craft  maintained. 

No  brother  should  be  a  Master  till  he  has  first  served 
a  Lodge  acceptably  in  the  office  of  Warden,  unless  in 
extraordinary  cases,  or  when  a  new  Lodge  is  to  be 
formed,  and  no  Past  or  former  Warden  is  to  be  found 
among  the  members.  But,  three  Master  Masons,  al 
though  they  have  served  in  no  such  offices,  if  they  be 
well  learned,  may  be  constituted  Master  and  Wardens 
of  such  new  Lodge,  or  of  any  old  Lodge  in  the  like 
emergency ;  and  it  shall  be  their  duty  first  to  qualify 
themselves  thoroughly  for  their  work. 

The  Master  of  every  Lodge  shall  be  annually  chosen 
by  ballot,  on  some  stated  Lodge  night.  Each  member 
hath  one  vote.  And  when  the  ballot  is  closed,  the 
former  Master  shall  carefully  examine  the  votes,  and 
audibly  declare  him  who  hath  the  majority  to  be  duly 
elected.  In  like  manner  shall  the  Lodge  proceed  in 
the  choice  of  all  other  officers ;  great  care  being  taken 
that  none  be  put  in  nomination  for  favor  or  affection, 
birth,  or  fortune,  exclusively  of  the  consideration  of 
real  merit  and  ability  to  fill  the  office  for  the  honor 
and  advancement  of  masonry.  No  Mason  chosen  into 
any  office  can  refuse  to  serve,  unless  he  has  served  in 
the  same  office  before.  The  Master  of  every  regular 
Lodge,  thus  duly  elected  and  installed,  has  it  in  special 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  223 

charge,  as  appurtenant  to  his  office,  duty  and  dignity, 
to  see  that  all  the  by-laws  of  his  Lodge,  as  well  as  the 
General  Regulations  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  be  duly 
observed;  that  his  Wardens  discharge  their  office 
faithfully,  and  be  examples  of  diligence  and  sobriety 
to  the  craft ;  that  true  and  exact  minutes  and  entries 
of  all  proceedings  be  made  and  kept  by  the  Secretary ; 
that  the  Treasurer  keep  and  render  exact  and  just  ac 
counts  at  the  stated  times,  according  to  the  by-laws  and 
orders  of  the  Lodge ;  and,  in  general,  that  all  the  goods 
and  moneys  belonging  to  the  body  be  truly  managed 
and  dispensed,  according  to  the  vote  and  directions  of 
the  majority. 

The  Master  shall  also  take  care  that  no  Apprentice 
or  Fellow  Craft  be  taken  into  his  house  or  Lodge,  un 
less  he  has  sufficient  employment  for  him,  and  finds 
him  to  be  duly  qualified,  according  to  the  rules  before 
laid  down,  for  learning  and  understanding  the  sublime 
mysteries  of  the  Art.  Thus  shall  apprentices  be  ad 
mitted,  upon  farther  improvement,  as  Fellow  Crafts ; 
and,  in  due  time,  be  raised  to  the  sublime  degree  of 
Master  Masons,  animated  with  the  prospect  of  passing 
in  future  through  all  the  higher  honors  of  masonry, 
viz :  those  of  Wardens  and  Masters  of  their  Lodges, 
and  perhaps  at  length  of  Grand  Wardens  and  Grand 
Masters  of  all  the  Lodges,  according  to  their  merit. 

The  Master  of  a  particular  Lodge  has  the  right  and 
authority  of  calling  his  Lodge,  or  congregating  the 
members  into  a  Chapter,  at  pleasure,  upon  the  appli- 


224  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

cation  of  any  of  the  brethren,  and  upon  any  emergency 
and  occurrence  which,  in  his  judgment,  may  require 
their  meeting ;  and  he  is  to  fill  the  chair  when  present. 
It  is  likewise  his  duty,  together  with  his  Wardens,  to 
attend  the  Grand  Lodge  at  the  quarterly  Communica 
tions  ;  and  such  occasional  or  special  Grand  Commu 
nications  as  the  good  of  the  craft  may  require,  when 
duly  summoned  by  the  Grand  Secretary,  and  within 
such  reasonable  distance  of  the  place  of  holding  the 
Grand  Lodge  as  the  laws  of  the  same  may  have  as 
certained.  When  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  at  general 
as  well  as  special  Communications,  the  Master  and 
Wardens,  or  either  of  them,  have  full  power  and  au 
thority  to  represent  their  Lodge,  and  to  transact  all 
matters  as  well  and  truly  as  if  the  whole  were  there 
present. 

The  Master  has  the  right  of  appointing  some  brother, 
who  is  most  commonly  the  Secretary  of  the  Lodge,  to 
keep  the  book  of  by-laws,  and  other  laws  given  to  the 
Lodge  by  proper  authority ;  and  in  this  book  shall  also 
be  kept  the  names  of  all  the  members  of  the  Lodge, 
and  a  list  of  all  the  Lodges  within  the  same  Grand 
Communication,  with  the  usual  times  and  places  of  their 
meeting. 

Section  Fourth. 

THE   WARDENS   OF   A   LODGE. 

1.  None  but  Master  Masons  can  be  Wardens  of  a 
Lodge. 

2.  The  Senior  Warden  succeeds  to  all  the  duties  of 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  225 

the  Master,  and  fills  the  chair  when  he  is  absent.  If 
the  Master  goes  abroad  on  business,  resigns,  or  is 
deposed,  the  Senior  Warden  shall  fill  his  place  until 
the  next  stated  time  of  election.  And  although  it  was 
formerly  held,  that  in  such  cases  the  Master's  authority 
ought  to  revert  to  the  last  Past  Master  who  is  present, 
yet  it  is  now  the  settled  rule,  that  the  authority  de 
volves  upon  the  Senior  Warden,  and  in  his  absence  upon 
the  Junior  Warden,  even  although  a  former  Master  be 
present.  But  the  Wardens  will  generally  honor  a  Past 
Master  that  may  be  present,  and  will  call  on  him  to 
take  the  chair,  upon  the  presumption  of  his  experience 
and  skill  in  conducting  the  business  of  the  Lodge. 

Nevertheless,  such  Past  Master  still  holds  his  au 
thority  under  the  Senior  Warden,  and  cannot  act  until 
he  congregates  the  Lodge.  If  none  of  the  officers  be 
present,  nor  any  former  Master  to  take  the  chair,  the 
members  according  to  seniority  and  merit,  shall  fill  the 
places  of  the  absent  officers. 

The  business  of  the  Wardens  in  the  Lodge  is  gen 
erally  to  assist  the  Master  in  conducting  the  business 
and  managing  the  craft,  in  due  order  and  form,  when 
the  Master  is  present.  Particular  Lodges  do  likewise, 
by  their  by-laws,  assign  particular  duties  to  their 
Wardens  for  their  own  better  government;  which  such 
Lodges  have  a  right  to  do,  provided  they  transgress 
not  the  old  landmarks,  nor  in  any  degree  violate  the 
true  genius  and  spirit  of  masonry. 

15 


226  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

Section  Fifth. 

OF    THE    SECRETARY   OF    A   LODGE. 

The  Secretary  shall  keep  a  proper  register  or  record 
of  all  transactions  and  proceedings  of  the  Lodge,  that 
are  to  be  committed  to  writing;  which  shall  be  faith 
fully  entered  in  the  Lodge  books,  from  the  minutes 
taken  in  open  Lodge,  after  being  duly  read,  amended 
if  necessary,  and  approved  of  before  the  close  of  every 
meeting ;  in  order  that  the  said  transactions  or  authentic 
copies  may  be  laid  before  the  Grand  Lodge  once  in 
every  quarter  if  required. 

In  particular,  the  Secretary  shall  keep  exact  lists  of 
all  the  members  of  the  Lodge,  with  the  admission  of 
new  members  ;  and  shall  prepare  and  send  to  the 
Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  the  list  of  members, 
together  with  all  expulsions  and  rejections  for  the  time 
being,  to  the  intent  that  the  Grand  Secretary,  and 
consequently  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  may 
be  at  all  times  enabled  to  know  the  names  and  number 
of  members  in  each  Lodge  under  their  jurisdiction,  with 
the  hand  writing  of  the  different  officers ;  and  pay  all 
due  respect  to  the  brethren  recommended  by  them. 

Section  Sixth. 

OF   THE    TREASURER   OF   A   LODGE. 

The  Treasurer  is  to  receive  and  keep  exact  accounts 
of  all  moneys  raised,  or  paid  according  to  rule,  for  the 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  227 

advancement  of  the  Lodge  and  benefit  of  the  brethren, 
and  to  pay  all  orders  duly  drawn  upon  him  by  the 
authority  of  the  Lodge.  He  is  to  keep  regular  entries 
both  of  his  receipts  and  expenses;  and  to  have  his 
books  and  vouchers  always  ready  for  examination  at 
such  stated  times  as  the  by-laws  require,  or  when 
specially  called  upon  by  order  of  the  Master  and 
brethren. 

The  Treasurer  is  likewise  to  have  the  charge  and 
custody  of  the  chest,  jewels,  and  furniture  of  the  Lodge; 
unless  when  the  Master  and  majority  may  judge  it 
more  convenient  to  appoint  some  other  responsible 
brother  for  that  particular  duty ;  or  when  the  officers 
of  the  Lodge  may  take  the  charge  immediately  upon 
themselves.  But  the  Warrant  or  Charter  is  in  the 
custody  of  the  Master. 

Section  Seventh. 

OF   THE    DEACONS   OP   A   LODGE. 

The  Deacons  are  to  assist  the  Master  and  Wardens 
in  the  execution  of  their  duty,  to  examine  and  welcome 
visiting  brethren,  to  prepare  candidates,  and  to  perform 
such  other  services  as  are  assigned  to  them. 

Section  Eighth. 

STEWARDS. 

The  Stewards  are  to  provide  refreshments,  and  make 
a  regular  report  of  the  expense  to  the  Treasurer ;  and 


228  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

to  see  that  the  regalia  of  the  Lodge  are  in  good  order 
and  always  ready  for  use. 

Section  Ninth. 

OF    THE    TYLER    OF    A    LODGE. 

In  order  that  due  decorum  be  observed,  while  the 
Lodge  is  engaged  in  what  is  serious  and  solemn,  and 
for  the  preservation  of  secrecy  and  good  harmony,  a 
brother  well  skilled  in  the  Master's  part,  shall  be 
appointed  and  paid  for  tyling  the  Lodge  door,  during 
the  time  of  communication.  Generally  a  brother  is  to 
be  preferred,  to  whom  the  fees  of  the  office  may  be 
necessary  and  serviceable,  on  account  of  his  particular 
circumstances. 

His  duty  is  fixed  by  custom,  and  known  to  every 
brother.  He  is  to  be  true  and  trusty,  and  to  obey  the 
special  directions  of  the  Lodge. 

Section  Tenth. 

OF   THE    NUMBER  TO    BE    INITIATED. 

]STo  Lodge  shall  make  more  than  Jive  new  brethren 
at  one  time,  nor  shall  any  person  be  made,  or  admitted 
a  member  of  a  Lodge,  without  being  proposed  at  least 
one  Lodge  night  before,  unless  in  cases  of  emergency, 
or  by  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master  or  his  De 
puty,  in  his  absence,  that  due  notice  may  be  given  to 
all  the  members  for  the  necessary  inquiries  into  the 
candidate's  character ;  and  that  there  may  be  unanimity 
in  the  election  and  admission  of  members. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  229- 

Section  Eleventh. 

OF   PRIVILEGES   IN   LODGES. 

The  majority  of  every  particular  Lodge,  when  duly 
congregated,  have  the  privilege  of  instructing  their 
Master  and  Wardens  for  their  conduct  in  the  Grand 
Lodge  and  Quarterly  Communications;  and  all  par 
ticular  Lodges  in  the  same  Communication,  shall,  as 
much  as  possible,  observe  the  same  rules  and  usages ; 
and  appoint  some  of  their  members  to  visit  each  other 
in  the  different  Lodges,  as  often  as  it  may  be  convenient. 

When  it  so  happens  that  a  Lodge  cannot  attend  the 
Communications  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  they  may  appoint 
a  brother,  who  is  a  Master  Mason,  and  of  real  merit, 
and  give  him  instructions  to  represent  them,  and  vote 
in  their  behalf.  He  bearing  their  certificate  under  the 
seal  of  the  Lodge,  and  signed  by  the  Master  and  War 
dens,  may,  if  approved  by  the  officers  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  take  his  seat  among  them,  and  vote  and  act  in 
the  name  of  the  Lodge  he  represents.  But  no  individual 
can  appear  for  more  than  one  Lodge  at  the  same  time. 

Lodges  shall  have  place  according  to  the  date  of 
their  constitution. 

If  any  Lodge  shall  cease  to  meet  regularly  for  twelve 
months  successively,  its  charter  shall  be  void. 


230  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

CHAPTER  III. 

OF  THE  BEHAVIOUR  OF  MASONS,  AS  MEMBERS  OF  A  LODGE. 
1.    OF    ATTENDANCE. 

Every  brother  ought  to  belong  to  some  regular  Lodge, 
and  should  always  appear  therein  properly  clothed, 
truly  subjecting  himself  to  all  its  by-laws  and  the  gen 
eral  regulations.  He  must  attend  all  meetings,  when 
duly  summoned,  unless  he  can  offer  to  the  Master  and 
Wardens  such  plea  of  necessity  for  his  absence  as  the 
said  laws  and  regulations  may  admit. 

By  the  ancient  rules  and  usages  of  masonry,  which 
are  generally  adopted  among  the  by-laws  of  every 
Lodge,  no  plea  was  judged  sufficient  to  excuse  any 
absentee,  unless  he  could  satisfy  the  Lodge  that  he  was 
detained  by  some  extraordinary  and  unforeseen  ne 
cessity. 

None  have  a  right  to  vote  in  the  Lodge  but  such  as 
are  members. 

No  brother  shall  be  a  member  of  more  than  one 
Lodge  at  the  same  time. 

2.  OF  WORKING. 

All  Masons  should  work  faithfully  and  honestly.  All 
the  working  hours  appointed  by  law,  or  confirmed  by 
custom,  are  to  be  strictly  observed.  The  usual  hours 
of  working  are — "from  seven  o'clock  in  the  evening 
until  ten,  between  the  25th  of  March  and  the  25th  of 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  231 

September;  and  from  six  until  nine,  between  the  25th 
of  September  and  the  25th  of  March." 

The  Master  and  Masons  shall  faithfully  finish  their 
work. 

None  shall  envy  a  brother's  prosperity,  or  put  him 
out  of  his  work,  if  capable  of  finishing  it. 

All  Masons  shall  receive  their  wages  without  mur 
muring.  They  must  avoid  all  unbecoming  modes  of 
expression;  and  shall  call  each  other  brother  in  the 
Lodge. 

3.    OF    BEHAVIOUR   IN   THE   LODGE. 

While  the  Lodge  is  open  for  work,  Masons  must  hold 
no  private  conversation  or  committees,  without  leave 
from  the  Master ;  nor  talk  of  any  thing  foreign  or  im 
pertinent,  nor  interrupt  the  Master  or  Wardens,  or  any 
brother  addressing  himself  to  the  chair;  nor  behave 
inattentively  while  the  Lodge  is  engaged  in  what  is 
serious  and  solemn ;  but  every  brother  shall  pay  due 
reverence  to  the  Master  and  Wardens,  and  all  his 
fellows. 

Every  brother  guilty  of  a  fault,  shall  submit  to  the 
Lodge,  unless  he  appeal  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

No  private  offences,  or  disputes  about  nations,  fam 
ilies,  religion,  or  politics,  must  be  brought  within  the 
doors  of  the  Lodge. 

4.    OP   BEHAVIOUR   AFTER    THE   LODGE   IS    CLOSED. 

When  the  Lodge  is  closed,  and  the  labor  finished, 
the  brethren,  before  they  depart  home  to  their  rest,  may 


232  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

enjoy  themselves  with  innocent  mirth,  enlivened  and 
exalted  with  their  own  peculiar  songs  and  sublime  pieces 
of  music ;  but  avoiding  all  excess,  considering  each  other, 
in  the  hours  both  of  labor  and  festivity,  as  always  free. 
And  therefore  no  brother  is  to  be  hindered  from  going 
home  when  he  pleases ;  for  although,  after  Lodge  hours, 
Masons  are  as  other  men,  yet  if  they  should  fall  into 
excess,  the  blame,  though  unjustly,  may  be  cast  upon 
the  fraternity,  by  the  ignorant  or  the  envious. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

OF    THE   BEHAVIOUR   OF    MASONS,    IN   THEIR   PRIVATE 
CHARACTER. 

1.  WHEN  A  NUMBER  OF  BRETHREN  HAPPEN  TO  MEET, 
WITHOUT  ANY  STRANGER  AMONG  THEM,  AND  NOT  IN 
A  LODGE. 

In  such  case,  you  are  to  salute  each  other  in  a  cour 
teous  manner,  as  you  are  or  may  be  instructed  in  the 
Lodge,  and  freely  communicate  hints  of  knowledge, 
but  without  disclosing  secrets,  unless  to  those  who  have 
given  proof  of  their  taciturnity  and  honor.  Masonry 
divests  no  man  of  the  honors  due  to  him  before,  or  that 
may  become  due  after  he  was  made  a  Mason.  On  the 
contrary,  it  increases  respect,  teaching  us  to  add  to  all 
his  other  honors,  those  which  as  Masons  we  cheerfully 
pay  to  an  eminent  brother,  distinguishing  him  above 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  233 

all  of  his  rank  and  station,  and  serving  him  readily 
according  to  our  ability. 

2.    WHEN   IN   THE   PRESENCE  OF  STRANGERS,  WHO  ARK 
NOT   MASONS. 

Before  those  who  are  not  Masons,  you  must  be 
cautious  in  your  words  and  carriage ;  so  that  the  most 
penetrating  stranger  shall  not  be  able  to  discover  what 
is  not  proper  to  be  intimated.  The  impertinent  and 
ensnaring  questions,  or  ignorant  and  idle  discourse  of 
those  who  seek  to  pry  into  the  secrets  and  mysteries  of 
the  craft,  must  be  prudently  answered  and  managed, 
or  the  discourse  wisely  diverted  to  another  subject,  as 
your  discretion  and  duty  shall  direct. 

3.    WHEN    AT    HOME,    AND    IN    YOUR    NEIGHBORHOOD. 

Masons  ought  to  be  moral  men.  Consequently  they 
should  be  good  husbands,  good  parents,  good  sons, 
and  good  neighbors ;  avoiding  all  excess  injurious  to 
themselves  or  families,  and  wise  as  to  all  aft'airs,  both 
of  their  own  household  and  of  the  Lodge,  for  certain 
reasons  known  to  themselves. 

4.    OF    BEHAVIOUR    TOWARDS    A    FOREIGN    BROTHER,  OE 
STRANGER. 

You  are  cautiously  to  examine  a  stranger  or  foreign 
brother,  as  prudence  and  the  rules  of  the  craft  direct, 
that  you  may  not  be  imposed  upon  by  a  pretender ;  and 
if  you  discover  any  one  to  be  such,  you  are  to  reject 


234  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

him,  but  with  proper  caution.  But  such  as  are  found 
to  be  true  and  faithful,  you  are  to  respect  as  brothers, 
relieving  them,  if  in  want,  to  your  utmost  power,  or 
directing  them  how  to  find  relief ;  and  employing  them, 
if  you  can,  or  else  recommending  them  to  employment. 

5.    OF   BEHAVIOUR   TOWARDS    A   BROTHER,   WHETHER 
PRESENT    OR    ABSENT. 

Free  and  Accepted  Masons  have  ever  been  charged 
to  avoid  all  slander  of  true  and  faithful  brethren,  with 
all  malice  and  unjust  resentment,  or  talking  disrespect 
fully  of  a  brother's  person  or  performance,  Nor  must 
they  suffer  any  to  spread  unjust  reproaches  or  calum 
nies  against  a  brother  behind  his  back,  nor  to  injure 
him  in  his  fortune,  occupation  or  character ;  but  they 
shall  defend  such  a  brother,  and  give  him  notice  of  any 
danger  or  injury  wherewith  he  may  be  threatened,  to 
enable  him  to  escape  the  same,  as  far  as  is  consistent 
with  honor,  prudence,  and  the  safety  of  religion,  mor 
ality,  and  the  State,  but  no  farther. 

6.     CONCERNING    DIFFERENCES    AND     LAWSUITS,    IF    ANY 
SUCH    SHOULD    UNHAPPILY    ARISE    AMONG    BRETHREN. 

If  a  brother  do  you  an  injury,  or  if  you  have  any 
difference  with  him  about  any  worldly  or  temporal 
business,  or  interest,  apply  first  to  your  own  or  his 
Lodge,  to  have  the  matter  in  dispute  adjusted  by  the 
brethren.  And  if  either  brother  be  not  satisfied  with 
the  determination  of  the  Lodge,  an  appeal  may  be  made 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

to  the  Giand  Lodge;  and  you  are  never  to  enter  into 
a  lawsuit  until  the  matter  cannot  be  decided  as  above. 
And  if  it  be  a  matter  that  wholly  concerns  masonry, 
lawsuits  are  to  be  entirely  avoided,  and  the  good  advice 
of  prudent  brethren  is  to  be  followed,  as  they  are  the 
best  referees  of  such  differences. 

But  where  references  are  either  impracticable  or 
unsuccessful,  and  courts  of  law  or  equity  must  at  last 
decide,  you  must  still  follow  the  general  rules  of  ma 
sonry,  avoiding  all  wrath,  malice,  rancor,  and  personal 
ill  will,  in  carrying  on  the  suit  with  a  brother ;  neither 
saying  or  doing  any  thing  to  prevent  the  continuance 
or  renewal  of  that  brotherly  love  and  friendship,  which 
are  the  glory  and  cement  of  this  ancient  fraternity. 
Thus  shall  we  show  to  all  the  world  the  benign  influ 
ence  of  masonry,  as  wise,  true  and  faithful  brethren 
have  done  from  the  beginning  of  time ;  and  as  all  who 
shall  follow  us,  and  would  be  thought  worthy  of  that 
name,  will  continue  to  do. 

w  jKSTThese  charges,  and  such  others  as  shall  be  given 
to  you,  in  a  way  that  cannot  be  written,  you  are  strictly 
and  conscientiously  to  observe ;  and,  that  they  may  be 
the  better  observed,  they  should  be  read  or  made  known 
to  new  brethren  at  their  making;  and  at  other  times, 
as  the  Master  shall  direct.  Amen. 


236  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

CHAPTER  V. 
Section  First. 

OF    GRAND    LODGES    IN    GENERAL. 

A  Grand  Lodge  consists  of  the  Masters  and  Wardens 
of  all  the  regular  Lodges  within  its  jurisdiction,  with 
the  Grand  Master  at  their  head,  the  Deputy  Grand 
Master  on  his  left,  and  the  Grand  Wardens  in  their 
proper  places ;  attended  also  by  the  Grand  Secretary, 
Grand  Treasurer,  Grand  Marshal,  Grand  Sword  Bearer, 
Grand  Tyler,  Grand  Pursuivant,  and  other  necessary 
officers,  as  will  be  explained  in  the  proper  place;  all 
of  whom  must  be  Master  Masons. 

No  new  Lodge  is  acknowledged,  nor  can  their  officers 
be  admitted  into  the  Grand  Lodge,  until  such  new 
Lodge  is  first  regularly  constituted,  and  registered  by 
the  authority  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

All  Past  Grand  Masters,  Past  Deputy  Grand  Mas- 
ters,  and  Past  Grand  Wardens,  are  considered  as 
members  of,  and  admitted  to  vote  in  all  Grand  Lodges. 

CD 

By  courtesy,  as  well  as  custom,  Past  Masters,  Past 
Grand  Secretaries,  and  Past  Grand  Treasurers,  have 
the  privilege  of  sitting  in  all  the  Grand  Lodges,  and 
voting  in  such  matters,  as  by  the  rules  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  they  might  or  could  have  voted  in,  while  in 
office. 

No  Master,  Warden,  or  other  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  should  ever  attend  the  same,  without  the  jewels 
which  he  ought  to  wear  in  his  own  particular  Lodge, 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  237 

except  for  some  good  and  sufficient  reason  to  be  allowed 
of  by  the  Grand  Lodge.  And  when  the  officer  of  any 
particular  Lodge,  from  such  urgent  business,  or  ne 
cessity,  as  may  regularly  plead  his  excuse,  cannot 
personally  attend  the  Grand  Lodge,  he  may  nominate 
and  send  a  brother  of  his  Lodge,  with  his  jewel  and 
clothing,  to  supply  his  room,  and  to  support  the  honor 
of  his  Lodge  in  the  Grand  Lodge. 

A  brother  of  eminence,  and  of  the  rank  of  Master, 
having  business,  or  whose  attendance  is  necessary  in 
any  point  of  evidence  or  intelligence,  may  be  admitted 
into  the  Grand  Lodge  upon  motion,  or  leave  asked  and 
given;  but  such  brother,  thus  admitted,  shall  have  no 
vote,  nor  be  allowed  to  speak  to  any  question  without 
leave,  or  unless  desired  to  give  his  opinion. 

The  Grand  Lodge  shall  meet  four  times  a  year  sta 
tedly,  for  Quarterly  Communications,  and  should  also 
have  occasional  meetings  and  adjournments,  monthly 
or  otherwise,  as  business  may  require;  and  such  meet 
ing  shall  be  held  in  the  hall  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  unless 
for  some  particular  reason  the  Grand  Master  should 
think  fit  to  appoint  some  other  place  of  special  meeting. 

All  matters  in  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  be  determined 
by  a  majority  of  votes,  each  member  having  one  vote, 
unless  the  Grand  Lodge  leave  any  particular  thing  to 
the  determination  of  the  Grand  Master. 

The  business  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  whether  at  Quar 
terly  Communications  or  other  meetings,  is  seriously 
to  communicate  and  consider,  transact  and  settle,  all 


238  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

matters  that  concern  the  prosperity  of  the  craft  and  the 
fraternity  in  general,  or  private  Lodges  and  brethren  in 
particular.  Thus  all  differences  that  cannot  be  accom 
modated  privately,  nor  by  a  particular  Lodge,  are  to  be 
seriously  considered  and  decided.  And  if  any  brother 
thinks  himself  aggrieved  by  such  decision,  he  may,  by 
lodging  an  appeal  in  writing  with  the  Grand  Secretary, 
have  the  matter  reheard  and  finally  determined  upon 
at  the  next  ensuing  Quarterly  Communication,  provided 
it  be  not  the  annual  Grand  Lodge,  or  the  feast  days  of 
St.  John ;  on  which,  by  the  new  and  wise  regulations, 
it  is  agreed  and  ordered  that  no  petitions  or  appeals 
should  be  heard,  or  any  business  transacted,  that  tends 
to  interrupt  the  harmony  of  the  assembly ;  but  all  shall 
be  referred  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 
And,  in  general,  whatever  business  cannot  be  transacted 
or  finished  at  any  one  meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
may  either  be  adjourned  to  the  next,  or  referred  to  a 
proper  committee,  to  be  by  them  heard,  considered  and 
reported  upon  to  the  said  next  meeting. 

The  officers  of  all  private  Lodges,  under  the  juris 
diction  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  shall,  at  every  Quarterly 
Communication,  (except  the  distant  Lodges,  which 
shall  annually  on  or  before  the  festival  of  Saint  John 
the  Evangelist,)  deliver  an  exact  list  of  such  members 
as  have  been  made,  or  even  admitted  by  them,  since 
the  last  preceding  Communication;  and  books  shall 
be  kept  in  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  some  able  brother  to 
be  appointed  Grand  Secretary,  in  which  the  said  lists 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  239 

and  returns  shall  be  duly  recorded;  together  with  all 
the  Lodges  in  Communication,  the  usual  times  and 
places  of  their  assembly,  and  the  names  of  all  their 
members.  In  the  said  books  are  also  to  be  registered 
all  the  proceedings,  and  other  affairs  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  which  are  proper  to  be  written. 

The  Grand  Lodge  shall  likewise  consider  of  the  most 
prudent  and  effectual  means  of  collecting  and  managing 
what  money  may  accrue  to  the  general  charity  fund. 

Section  Second. 

OF    THE    ELECTION    OF    THE    GRAND    MASTER. 

The  Grand  Lodge  must  meet  in  some  convenient 
place  in  order  to  elect  new  or  re-appoint  the  old  officers; 
and  such  election  or  re- appointment  shall  be  made  in 
such  season  that  the  Grand  Lodge  may  be  completely 
organized,  and  duly  prepared  for  the  celebration  of  the 
annual  feast  in  June,  and  other  important  business  of 
the  season. 

The  election  shall  be  made  either  by  holding  up  of 
hands,  or  by  ballot,  as  may  be  agreed  by  the  majority, 
on  motion  made  and  seconded  for  that  purpose;  pro 
vided  always  that  the  brother  recommended  by  the 
Grand  Master  in  office,  as  his  successor,  be  the  first 
voted  for,  either  by  holding  up  of  hands,  or  by  ballot, 
and  if  he  is  not  chosen,  the  other  candidates  in  the 
order  they  were  proposed,  until  one  has  the  majority 
of  voices  or  ballots.  When  the  election  is  thus  made, 


240  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

he  is  to  be  proclaimed,  installed  and  saluted,  if.  present ; 
but  if  not  present,  a  day  is  to  be  appointed  for  this 
ceremony.  The  ceremony  of  installing  the  new  Grand 
Master  is  to  be  conducted  by  the  last  Grand  Master ; 
but  he  may,  nevertheless,  order  any  brother  well  skilled 
in  the  ceremony  to  assist  him,  or  act  as  his  deputy  on 
the  occasion. 

In  case  the  new  Grand  Master,  when  nominated  or 
chosen,  cannot  attend  at  the  time  appointed  for  his  in 
stalment,  he  may  be  installed  by  proxy,  on  signifying 
his  acceptance  of  the  office ;  but  such  proxy  must  be 
either  the  last  or  a  former  Grand  Master,  or  else  a  very 
reputable  Past  Master. 

Section  Third. 

OF    THE   ELECTION   OR   APPOINTMENT    OF    THE    DEPUTY 
GRAND    MASTER. 

The  last  Grand  Master  thus  continued,  or  a  new 
Grand  Master  thus  appointed  and  installed,  hath  an 
inherent  right  to  nominate  and  appoint  the  Deputy 
Grand  Master ;  because,  as  the  Grand  Master  cannot 
be  supposed  to  be  able  to  give  his  attendance  on  every 
emergency,  it  hath  been  always  judged  necessary,  not 
only  to  allow  him  a  Deputy,  but  that  such  Deputy 
should  be  a  person  in  whom  he  can  perfectly  confide, 
and  with  whom  he  can  have  full  harmony 

Section  Fourth. 

OF    THE    GRAND    WARDENS. 

The  Grand  Lodge  has  the  right  of  electing  the  Grand 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  241 

Wardens;  and  any  member  has  a  right  to  propose  one 
or  both  the  candidates,  either  the  old  Wardens  or  new 
ones ;  and  the  two  persons  who  have  the  majority  of 
votes  or  ballots,  are  declared  duly  elected. 

Section  Fifth. 

OF    THE    GRAND    SECRETARY. 

The  office  of  Grand  Secretary  hath  become  one  of 
great  importance  to  the  Grand  Lodge.  All  the  trans 
actions  of  the  Lodge  are  to  be  drawn  into  form,  and 
duly  recorded  by  him.  All  petitions,  applications  and 
appeals  are  to  pass  through  his  hands.  No  warrant, 
certificate,  or  instrument  of  writing  from  the  Grand 
Lodge,  is  authentic  without  his  attestation  and  signa 
ture,  and  his  affixing  the  grand  seal  as  the  laws  require. 
The  general  correspondence  with  Lodges  and  brethren 
over  the  whole  world  is  to  be  managed  by  him,  agree 
ably  to  the  voice  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  directions 
of  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy,  whom  he  must, 
therefore,  be  always  ready  to  attend,  with  the  books  of 
the  Lodge,  in  order  to  give  all  necessary  information 
concerning  the  general  state  of  matters,  and  what  is 
proper  to  be  done  upon  any  emergency. 

For  these  reasons,  at  every  annual  election  or  ap 
pointment  of  Grand  Officers,  the  nomination  or  ap 
pointment  of  the  Grand  Secretary  has  been  considered 
as  the  right  of  the  Grand  Master,  being  properly  his 
amanuensis,  and  an  officer  as  necessary  to  him  as  his 
Deputy.  But  in  America,  Grand  Masters,  not  being 
16 


242  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

tenacious  of  prerogative,  have  relinquished  this  privi 
lege,  and  the  Grand  Secretary  is  chosen  by  nomination 
and  vote  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

The  Grand  Secretary,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  is  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  may  sit  down  and 
vote  accordingly. 

The  Grand  Secretary  may  have  an  assistant,  with 
the  consent  of  the  Grand  Lodge ;  but  he  will  not  be 
considered  as  a  member,  nor  admitted  to  vote. 

Section  Sixth. 

OF    THE    ELECTION   AND    OFFICE    OF    GRAND    TREASURER. 

The  Grand  Treasurer  is-  elected  by  the  body  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  in  the  same  manner  as  the  Grand  War 
dens  ;  he  being  considered  as  an  officer  peculiarly  re 
sponsible  to  all  the  members  in  due  form  assembled,  as 
having  the  charge  of  their  common  stock  and  property. 
To  him  is  committed  the  care  of  all  money  raised  for 
the  general  charity,  and  other  uses  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
an  account  of  which  he  is  regularly  to  enter  in  a  book, 
with  the  respective  uses  for  which  the  several  sums 
are  intended.  He  is  likewise  to  pay  out,  or  expend  the 
same  on  such  orders,  signed  as  the  rules  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  in  this  respect  shall  allow  to  be  valid. 

The  Grand  Treasurer,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  is  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge.  He  shall  always  be 
present  in  the  Ledge,  and  ready  to  attend  the  Grand 
Master,  and  other  Grand  Officers,  with  his  books  for 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  243 

inspection  when  required ;  and  likewise  any  committee 
that  may  be  appointed  for  adjusting  and  examining  his 
accounts. 

Section  Seventh. 

OF  THE  GRAND  TYLER  AND  GRAND  PURSUIVANT. 

These  officers  of  the  Grand  Lodge  must  be  Master 
Masons,  but  none  of  them  are  members  of  the  Grand 
Lodge.  The  Tyler's  duty  is  to  attend  at  the  door,  to 
see  that  none  but  members  enter  into  the  Lodge. 

The  business  of  the  Pursuivant  is  to  stand  at  the 
inward  door  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  to  report  the 
names  and  titles  of  all  that  want  admittance,  as  given 
to  him  by  the  Tyler.  He  is  also  to  go  upon  messages 
and  perform  other  services  known  in  the  Lodge. 

JSSrTlie  Grand  Deacons,  whose  duty  is  well  known 
in  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  particular  assistants  to  the 
Grand  Master  and  Senior  Warden,  in  conducting  the 
business  of  the  Lodge,  are  always  members  of  the 
same ;  and  may  be  either  nominated  occasionally  on 
every  Lodge  night,  or  appointed  annually. 

Section  Eighth. 

GENERAL  RULES  FOR  CONDUCTING  THE  BUSINESS  OF 
THE  GRAND  LODGE,  IN  CASES  OF  THE  ABSENCE  OF 
ANY  OF  THE  GRAND  OFFICERS. 

If  the  Grand  Master  is  absent  at  any  meeting  of  the 
Grand  Lodge,  stated  or  occasional,  the  Deputy  is  to 
supply  his  place. 


244  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

If  the  Deputy  is  likewise  absent,  the  Senior  Grand 
Warden  takes  the  Chair,  and  in  his  absence  the  Junior 
Grand  Warden.  All  Grand  Officers,  Present  and  Past, 
take  place  of  every  Master  of  a  Lodge,  and  the  present 
Grand  Officers  take  place  of  all  Past  Grand  Officers. 
Nevertheless,  any  of  them  may  resign  their  privilege, 
to  do  honor  to  any  eminent  brother  or  Past  Master, 
whom  the  Lodge  may  be  willing  to  place  in  the  chair 
on  any  particular  occasion. 

If  the  Grand  Officers  are  not  present  at  any  Grand 
Lodge  duly  summoned,  the  Master  of  the  Senior  Pri 
vate  Lodge  who  may  be  present,  is  to  take  the  chair, 
although  there  may  be  Masters  of  Lodges  present  who 
are  older  Masons. 

But  to  prevent  disputes,  the  Grand  Master,  when  he 
finds  he  must  be  necessarily  absent  from  any  Grand 
Lodge,  usually  gives  a  special  commission,  under  his 
hand  and  seal  of  office,  countersigned  by  the  Grand 
Secretary,  to  the  Senior  Grand  Warden,  or  in  his  ab 
sence  to  the  Junior,  or  in  case  of  the  absence  of  both, 
to  any  other  Grand  Officer,  or  particular  Master  of  a 
Lodge,  Past  or  Present,  to  supply  his  place,  if  the 
Deputy  Grand  Master  be  necessarily  absent. 

But  if  there  be  no  special  commission,  the  general 
rule  of  precedence  is  that  the  Junior  Grand  Warden 
supplies  the  place  of  the  Senior  in  his  absence ;  and  if 
both  are  absent,  the  oldest  former  Grand  Wardens  take 
place  immediately,  and  act  as  Grand  Wardens  pro 
tempore,  unless  they  resign  their  privilege. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  245 

When  neither  the  Grand  Wardens  of  the  present, 
nor  of  any  former  year,  are  in  company,  the  Grand 
Master,  or  he  that  legally  presides  in  his  stead,  calls 
forth  whom  he  pleases,  to  act  as  Deputy  Grand  Master 
and  Grand  Wardens,  although  the  preference  is  gen 
erally  given  to  the  Master  or  Fast  Master  of  the  oldest 
Lodge  present.  The  presiding  grand  officer  has  the 
further  privilege  of  appointing  a  Secretary  or  any  other 
grand  officer,  if  neither  the  stated  officers,  nor  the 
deputies  of  such  of  them  as  have  a  right  to  nominate  a 
deputy,  be  present. 

In  case  of  the  death  of  a  Grand  Master,  the  same 
order  of  succession  and  precedency  takes  place,  as  above 
set  forth,  until  a  new  Grand  Master  is  duly  chosen,  and 
installed. 

Old  Grand  Officers  may  be  again  chosen  officers  of 
private  Lodges,  and  this  does  not  deprive  them  of  any 
of  the  privileges  to  which,  as  old  Grand  Officers,  they 
are  entitled  in  the  Grand  Lodge ;  only,  an  old  Grand 
Officer,  being  the  officer  of  a  private  Lodge,  must  de 
pute  a  past  officer  of  his  particular  Lodge  to  act  for  him 
in  the  Grand  Lodge,  when  he  ascends  to  his  former 
rank  in  the  same. 

Section  Ninth. 

OF    GRAND    VISITATIONS,    COMMUNICATIONS,    ANNUAL 
FEASTS,    &C. 

The  Grand  Master,  with  his  Deputy,  the  Grand 
Wardens,  and  Grand  Secretary,  shall,  if  possible,  an 
nually  go  at  least  once  round,  and  visit  all  the  Lodges 


246  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

under  his  jurisdiction;  or,  when  this  laudable  duty 
becomes  impracticable,  from  the  extent  of  his  jurisdiction 
and  large  number  of  Lodges,  he  shall,  as  often  as  ne 
cessary,  and  if  possible,  annually,  appoint  visitors  of 
different  districts,  composed  of  his  Grand  Officers,  and 
such  other  assistants  as  he  may  think  proper,  who  shall 
make  faithful  report  of  their  proceedings  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  according  to  the  instructions  given  them. 

When  both  the  Grand  Master  and  Deputy  Grand 
Master  are  absent,  the  Senior  or  Junior  Grand  Warden 
may  preside  as  Deputy  in  visiting  Lodges,  or  in  con 
stituting  any  new  Lodge. 

The  brethren  of  all  the  regular  Lodges,  in  the  same 
general  jurisdiction  and  Grand  Communication,  shall 
meet  in  some  convenient  place  on  St.  John's  day,  to 
celebrate  their  festival ;  either  in  their  own  or  any  other 
regular  Lodge,  as  they  shall  judge  most  convenient. 
And  any  brethren  who  are  found  true  and  faithful 
members  of  the  Ancient  Craft,  may  be  admitted.  But 
only  those  who  are  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  mus* 
be  present  during  the  installation  of  Grand  Officers. 


CHAPTER  VI. 
Section  First. 

GENERAL   REGULATIONS    OF    ANCIENT    YORK    MASONS. 

I.  The  Grand  Master,  or  Deputy,  has  full  authority 
and  right,  not  only  to  be  present,  but  also  to  preside  in 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  247 

every  Lodge,  with  the  Master  of  the  Lodge  on  his  left 
hand :  and  to  order  his  Grand  Wardens  to  attend  him, 
who  are  not  to  act  as  Wardens  of  particular  Lodges, 
but  in  his  presence  and  at  his  command ;  for  the  Grand 
Master  while  in  a  particular  Lodge,  may  command  the 
Wardens  of  that  Lodge,  or  any  other  Master  Masons, 
to  act  as  his  Wardens,  pro  tempore. 

II.  The  Master  of  a  particular  Lodge  has  the  right 
and  authority  of  congregating  the  members  of  his  Lodge 
into  a  Chapter,  upon  any  emergency  or  occurrence,  as 
well  as  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  their  usual 
forming ;  and  in  case  of  death  or  sickness,  or  necessary 
absence  of  the  Master,  the  Senior  Warden  shall  act  as 
Master  pro  tempore,  if  no  brother  is  present  who  has  been 
Master  of  that  Lodge  before ;  for  the  absent  Master's 
authority  reverts  to  the  last  Master  present;  though  he 
cannot  act  till  the  Senior  Warden  congregates  the  Lodge. 

III.  The  Master  of  each  particular  Lodge,  or  one  of 
the  Wardens,  or  some  other  brother,  by  appointment  of 
the  Master,  shall  keep  a  book,  containing  their  by-laws, 
the  names  of  their  members,  and  a  list  of  all  the  Lodges 
in  town,  with  the  usual  times  and  places  of  their  forming, 
and  also  the.  trans  actions  of  their  own  Lodge,  that  are 
proper  to  be  written. 

IV.  No  Lodge   shall   make   more  than   five  new 
brothers  at  one  and  the  same  time,  without  an  urgent 
necessity ;  nor  any  man  under  the  age  of  twenty-five 
years,  who  must  be  also  his  own  master,  unless  by  a 
d"-pensation  from  the  Grand  Master. 


248  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

V.  No  man  can  be  accepted  a  member  of  a  particular 
Lodge  without  previous  notice  one  month  before  given 
to  the  Lodge,  in  order  to  make  due  enquiry  into  the 
reputation  and  capacity  of  the  candidate,  unless  by  a 
dispensation. 

VI.  But  no  man  can  be  entered  a  brother  in  any 
particular  Lodge,  or  admitted  a  member  thereof,  with 
out  the  unanimous  consent  of  all  the  members  of  that 
Lodge  then  present,  when  the  candidate  is  proposed ; 
and  when  their  consent  is  formally  asked  by  the  Master, 
they  are  to  give  their  consent  in  their  own  prudent  way, 
either  virtually  or  in  form,  but  with  unanimity ;  nor  is 
this  inherent  privilege  subject  to  a  dispensation,  because 
the  members  of  a  particular  Lodge  are  the  best  judges 
of  it ;  and  because,  if  a  turbulent  member  should  be 
imposed  on  them,  it  might  spoil  their  harmony,  or 
hinder  the  freedom  of  their  communication,  or  even 
break  or  disperse  the  Lodge,  which  ought  to  be  avoided 
by  all  that  are  true  and  faithful. 

VII.  Every  new  brother,  at  his  entry,  is  decently  to 
clothe  the  Lodge,  that  is,  all  the  brethren  present,  and 
to  deposit  something  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent  and 
decayed  brethren,  as  the  candidate  shall  see  fit  to  bestow 
over  and  above  the  small  allowance  that  may  be  stated 
in  the  by-laws  of  that  particular  Lodge,  which  charity 
shall  be  kept  by  the  cashier;  also,  the  candidate  shall 
solemnly  promise  to  submit  to  the  Constitution,  and 
other  good  usages  that  shall  be  intimated  to  him  in 
time  and  place  convenient. 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  249 

VIII.  No  set  or  number  of  brethren  shall  withdraw 
or  separate  themselves  from  the  Lodge  in  which  they 
were  made,  or  were  afterwards  admitted  members, 
unless   the  Lodge  become  too  numerous;   nor   even 
then,  without  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master 
or  Deputy ;  and  when  thus  separated,  they  must  either 
immediately  join  themselves  to  such  other  Lodges  that 
they  shall  like  best,  who  are  willing  to  receive  them, 
or  else  obtain  the  Grand  Master's  Warrant  to  join  in 
forming  a  new  Lodge,  to  be  regularly  constituted  in 
good  time. 

If  any  set  or  number  of  Masons  shall  take  upon 
themselves  jto  form  a  Lodge  without  the  Grand  Master's 
Warrant,  the  regular  Lodges  are  not  to  countenance 
them,  nor  own  them  as  fair  brethren  duly  formed,  nor 
approve  of  their  acts  and  deeds ;  but  must  treat  them 
as  rebels,  until  they  humble  themselves  as  the  Grand 
Master  shall,  in  his  prudence  direct,  and  until  he  ap 
prove  of  them  by  his  warrant  signified  to  other  Lodges, 
as  the  custom  is  when  a  new  Lodge  is  to  be  registered 
in  the  Grand  Lodge  book. 

IX.  But  if  any  brother  so  far  misbehave  himself  as 
to  render  his  Lodge  uneasy,  he  shall  be  thrice  duly 
admonished  by  the  Master  and  Wardens  in  that  Lodge 
formed ;  and  if  he  will  not  refrain  his  imprudence,  nor 
obediently  submit  to  the  advice  of  his  brethren,  he  shall 
be  dealt  with  according  to  the  by-laws  of  that  particular 
Lodge ;  or  else  in  such  a  manner  as  the  Grand  Lodge 


250  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

shall  in  their  great  prudence  think  fit,  for  which  a  new 
regulation  may  be  afterward  made. 

X.  The  majority  of  every  particular  Lodge,  when 
congregated,  not  else,  shall  have  the  privilege  of  giving 
instructions  to  their  Master  and  Wardens  before  the 
meeting  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  because  the  said  officers 
are  their  representatives,  and  supposed  to  speak  the 
sentiments  of  their  brethren  at  the  said  Grand  Lodge. 

XL  All  particular  Lodges  are  to  observe  the  like 
usages  as  much  as  possible;  in  order  to  which,  and 
also  for  cultivating  a  good  understanding  among  Free 
masons,  some  members  of  every  Lodge  should  be 
deputed  to  visit  other  Lodges  as  often  as  shall  be 
thought  convenient. 

XII.  The  Grand  Lodge  consists  of,  and  is  formed 
by,  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  the  particular 
Lodges  upon  record,  with  the  Grand  Master  at  their 
head,  the  Deputy  on  his  left  hand,  and  the  Grand 
Wardens  in  their  places. 

These  must  have  their  Quarterly  Communications, 
or  monthly  meetings  and  adjournments,  as  often  as 
occasion  requires,  in  some  convenient  place,  as  the 
Grand  Master  shall  appoint,  where  none  shall  be  present 
but  its  own  proper  members,  without  leave  asked  and 
given ;  and  while  such  a  stranger,  though  a  brother, 
stays,  he  is  not  allowed  to  vote,  or  even  to  speak  on 
any  question,  without  leave  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  or 
unless  he  is  desired  to  give  his  opinion. 

All  matters  in  the  Grand  Lodge  are  determined  by 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  251 

a  majority  of  votes,  each  member  having  one  vcte,  and 
the  Grand  Master  two  votes,  unless  the  Grand  Lodge 
leave  any  particular  thing  to  the  determination  of  the 
Grand  Master  for  the  sake  of  expedition. 

XIII.  At  the  Grand  Lodge  meetings,  all  matters 
that  concern  the  Fraternity  in  general,  or  particular 
Lodges,  or  single  brothers,  are  sedately  and  maturely 
to  be  discoursed  of. 

1 .  Apprentices  must  be  admitted  Fellow  Crafts  and 
Masters  only  here,  unless  by  a  dispensation  from  the 
Grand  Master. 

2.  Here  also  all  differences  that  cannot  be  made  up 
or  accommodated  privately,  nor  by  a  particular  Lodge, 
are  to  be  seriously  considered  and  decided ;  •  and  if  any 
brother  thinks  himself  aggrieved  by  the  decision,  he 
may  appeal  to  the   Grand  Lodge  next  ensuing,  and 
leave  his  appeal  in  writing  with  the  Grand  Master,  the 
Deputy,  or  Grand  Wardens. 

3.  Hither  also  all  the  officers  of  particular  Lodges 
shall  bring  a  list  of  such  members  as  have  been  made, 
or  even  admitted  by  them  since  the  last  Grand  Lodge. 

4.  There  shall  be  books  kept  by  the  Grand  Master 
or  Deputy,  or  rather  by  some  other  brother  appointed 
Secretary  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  wherein  shall  be  recorded 
all  the  Lodges,  with  the  usual  times  and  places  of  their 
forming,  and  the  names  of  all  the  members  of  each 
Lodge ;  also,  all  the  affairs  of  the  Grand  Lodge  that 
are  proper  to  be  written. 

5.  The   Grand  Lodge  shall  consider  of  the  most 


252  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

prudent  and  effectual  means  of  collecting  and  disposing 
of  what  money  shall  be  lodged  with  them  on  charity, 
towards  the  relief  only  of  any  true  brother  fallen  into 
poverty  and  decay,  but  none  else. 

6.  But  each  particular  Lodge  may  dispose  of  their 
own  charity  for  poor  brothers,  according  to  their  own 
by-laws,  until  it  be  agreed  by  all  the  Lodges  in  a  new 
regulation,  to  carry  in  the  charity  collected  by  them  to 
the  Grand  Lodge  at  the  Quarterly  or  Annual  Commu 
nication,  in  order  to  make  a  common  stock  for  the  more 
handsome  relief  of  poor  brethren. 

7.  They  shall  appoint  a  Treasurer,  a  brother  of 
worldly  substance,  who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  shall  be  always  pre 
sent,  and  have  power  to  move  to  the  Grand  Lodge  any 
thing  that  concerns  his  office. 

8.  To  him  shall  be  committed  all  money  raised  for 
the  general  charity,  or  for  any  other  use  of  the  Grand 
Lodge,  which  he  shall  write  down  in  a  book,  with  the 
respective  ends  and  uses  for  which  the  several  sums 
are  intended,  and  shall  expend  or  disburse  the  same 
by  such  a  certain  order,  signed  as  the  Grand  Lodge 
shall  hereafter  agree  to  in  a  new  regulation. 

But  by  virtue  of  his  office,  as  Treasurer,  without  any 
other  qualification,  he  shall  not  vote  in  choosing  a  new 
Grand  Master  and  Grand  Wardens,  though  in  every 
other  transaction. 

9.  In  like  manner  the  Secretary  shall  be  a  member 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  shall 
vote  in  every  thing,  except  in  choosing  Grand  Officers. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  253 

10.  The  Treasurer  and  Secretary  may  each  have  a 
Clerk  or  Assistant,  if  they  think  fit,  who  must  be  a 
brother  and  a  Master  Mason,  but  must  never  be  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  nor  speak  without  being 
allowed  or  commanded. 

11.  The  Grand  Master  or  Deputy  have  authority 
always  to  command  the  Treasurer  and  Secretary  to 
attend  him,  with  their  Clerks  and  books,  in  order  to 
see  how  matters  go  on,  and  to  know  what  is  expedient 
to  be  done  upon  an  emergency. 

12.  Another  brother  and  Master  Mason  should  be 
appointed  the  Tyler,  to  look  after  the  door;   but  he 
must  be  no  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

13.  But  these  offices  may  be  further  explained  by 
a  new  regulation,  when  the  necessity  or  expediency 
of  them   may  more  appear   than  at  present  to  the 
Fraternity. 

XIV.  If  at  any  Grand  Lodge,  stated  or  occasional, 
monthly  or  annual,  the   Grand  Master  and   Deputy 
should  both  be  absent,  then  the  present  Master  of  a 
Lodge  that  has  been  longest  a  Freemason,  shall  take 
the  chair  and  preside  as  Grand  Master,  pro  tempore, 
and  shall  be  vested  with  all  the  honor  and  power  for 
the  time  being,  provided  there  is  no  brother  present 
that  has  been  Grand  Master  or  Deputy  formerly ;  for 
the  last  former  Grand  Master  or  Deputy  in  company 
takes  place  of  right  in  the  absence  of  a  Grand  Master 
or  Deputy. 

XV.  In  the  Grand  Lodge  none  can  act  as  Wardens 


254  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

but  the  present  Grand  Wardens,  if  in  company ;  and, 
if  absent,  the  Grand  Master  shall  order  private  Wai  dens 
to  act  as  Grand  Wardens,  pro  tempore,  whose  places 
are  to  be  supplied  by  two  Fellow  Crafts  or  Master 
Masons  of  the  same  Lodge,  called  forth  to  act,  or  sent 
thither  by  the  Master  thereof ;  or  if  by  him  omitted, 
the  Grand  Master,  or  he  that  presides,  shall  call  them 
forth  to  act,  so  that  the  Grand  Lodge  may  be  always 
complete. 

XVI.  1.   The  Grand  Wardens  or  any  others,  are 
first  to  advise  with  the  Deputy  about  the  aft  airs  of  the 
Lodges  of  private  single  brothers,  and  are  not  to  apply 
to  the  Grand  Master  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
Deputy,  unless  he  refuse  his  concurrence.    • 

2.  In  which  case,  or  in  case  of  any  difference  of 
sentiment  between  the  Deputy  and  Grand  Wardens, 
or  other  brothers,  both  parties  are  to  go  to  the  Grand 
Master  by  consent ;  who,  by  virtue  of  his  great  autho 
rity  and  power,  can  easily  decide  the  controversy  and 
make  up  the  difference. 

3.  The  Grand  Master  should  not  receive  any  private 
intimation  of  business  concerning  Masons  and  masonry, 
but  from  his  Deputy  first,  except  in  such  cases  as  his 
Worship  can  easily  judge  of ;  and  if  the  application  to 
the  Grand  Master  be  irregular,  his  Worship  can  order 
the  Grand  Wardens,  or  any  so  applying,  to  wait  upon 
the  Deputy,  who  is  speedily  to  prepare  the  business 
and  lay  it  orderly  before  his  Worship. 

XVII.  No  Grand  Master,  Grand  Warden,  Treasurer 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  255 

or  Secretary,  or  whoever  acts  for  them,  or  in  their 
stead,  pro  tempore,  can,  at  the  same  time,  act  as  the 
Master  or  Warden  of  a  particular  Lodge ;  but  as  soon 
as  any  of  them  has  discharged  his  public  office,  he 
returns  to  that  post  or  station  in  his  particular  Lodge 
from  which  he  was  called  to  officiate. 

XVIII.  1.  If  the  Deputy  be  sick,  or  necessarily 
absent,  the  Grand  Master  can  choose  any  brother  he 
pleases,  to  act  as  his  Deputy,  pro  tempore. 

2.  But  he  that  is  chosen  Deputy  at  the  installation, 
and  also  the  Grand  Wardens,  cannot  be  discharged, 
unless  the  cause  fairly  appear  to  the  Grand  Lodge. 

3.  For  the  Grand  Master,  if  he  is  uneasy,  may  call 
a  Grand  Lodge  on  purpose  to  lay  the  case  before  them 
for  their  advice  and  concurrence. 

And  if  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  cannot 
reconcile  the  Grand  Master  with  his  Deputy  or  War 
dens,  they  are  to  allow  the  Grand  Master  to  discharge 
his  Deputy  or  Wardens,  and  to  choose  another  Deputy 
immediately;  and  the  same  Grand  Lodge,  in  that  case, 
shall  forthwith  choose  other  Grand  Wardens,  so  that 
harmony  and  peace  may  be  preserved. 

XIX.  If  the  Grand  Master  should  abuse  his  great 
power,  and  render  himself  unworthy  of  the  obedience 
and  submission  of  the  Lodge,  he  shall  be  treated  in  a 
way  and  manner  to  be  agreed  upon  in  a  new  regulation, 
because  hitherto  the  ancient  Fraternity  have  had  no 
occasion  for  it. 

XX.  The  Grand  Master  with  his   Deputy,  Grand 


256  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

"Wardens,  and  Secretary,  shall,  at  least  once,  go  round 
and  visit  all  the  Lodges  about  town  during  his  master 
ship. 

XXI.  If  the  Grand  Master  dies  during  his  mastership, 
or  by  sickness,  or  by  being  beyond  sea,  or  any  other 
way  be  rendered  incapable  of  discharging  his  office,  the 
Deputy,  or  in  his  absence  the  Senior  Grand  Warden, 
or  in  his  absence  the  Junior  Grand  Warden,  or  in  his 
absence  any  three  Masters  of  Lodges  shall  assemble 
the  Grand  Lodge  immediately,  in  order  to  advise  to 
gether  upon  the  emergency,  and  to  send  two  of  their 
number  to  invite  the  last  Grand  Master  to  resume  his 
office,  which  now  of  course  reverts  to  him ;  and  if  he 
refuses  to  act,  then  the  next  last,  and  so  backward ; 
but  if  no  former  Grand  Master  be  found,  the  present 
Deputy  shall  act  as  principal  till  a  new  Grand  Master 
is  chosen ;  or  if  there  be  no  Deputy,  then  the  oldest 
Mason,  the  present  Master  of  a  Lodge. 

XXII.  The  brethren  of  all  the  regular  Lodges  in  and 
near  the  city  of  London,  shall  meet  in  some  convenient 
place  on  every  St.  John's  day ;  and  when  business  is 
over,  they  may  repair  to  their  festival  dinners,  as  they 
shall  think  most  convenient;  and  when  St.  John's  day 
happen  to  be  on  a  Sunday,  then  the  public  meeting 
shall  be  on  the  next  Monday. 

The  Grand  Lodge  must  meet  in  some  convenient 
place  on  St.  John  the  Evangelist's  day,  in  every  year, 
in  order  to  proclaim  the  new  or  recognize  the  old  Grand 
Master,  Deputy,  and  Grand  Wardens. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  257 

XXIII.  If  the  present  Grand  Master  shall  consent  to 
continue  a  second  year,  then  one  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
deputed  for  that  purpose,  shall  represent  to  all  the 
brethren,  his  Worship's  good  government,  &c.,  and 
turning  to  him,  shall,  in  the  name  of  the  Grand  Lodge, 
humbly  request  him  to  do  the  Fraternity  the  great 
honor,  if  nobly  born,  if  not,  the  great  kindness,  of  con 
tinuing  to  be  their  Grand  Master  for  the  year  ensuing  ; 
and   his   Worship   declaring   his   consent  thereto,  in 
manner  he  thinks  proper,  the  Grand  Secretary  shall 
thrice  proclaim  him  aloud — GRAND  MASTER  OF  MASONS. 

All  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  salute 
him  in  due  form,  according  to  the  ancient  and  laudable 
customs  of  Freemasons. 

XXIV.  The  present  Grand  Master  shall  nominate 
his  successor  for  the  year  ensuing;  who,  if  unanimously 
approved  of  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  there  present, 
he  shall  be  proclaimed,  saluted  and  congratulated,  the 
new  Grand  Master  as  before  hinted;  and  immediately 
be  installed  by  the  last  Grand  Master,  according  to  an 
ancient  usage. 

But  if  that  nomination  is  not  unanimously  approved, 
the  new  Grand  Master  shall  be  chosen  immediately  by 
ballot,  viz.:  every  Master  and  Warden  writing  his  man's 
name,  and  the  last  Grand  Master  writing  his  man's 
name  too,  and  the  man  whose  name  the  last  Grand 
Master  shall  first  take  out  casually,  or  by  chance,  shall 
be  Grand  Master  of  Masons  for  the  year  ensuing :  and 
if  present,  he  shall  be  proclaimed,  saluted  and  congrat- 
17 


258  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

ulated,  as  before  hinted,  and  forthwith  installed  by  the 
last  Grand  Master,  according  to  usage. 

XXV.  1 .  The  last  Grand  Master  thus  continued,  or 
the  new  Grand  Master  thus  installed,  shall  next,  as  his 
inherent  right,  nominate  and  appoint  his  Deputy  Grand 
Master,  either  the  last,  or  a  new  one,  who  shall  also 
be  proclaimed,  saluted  and  congratulated,  in  due  form. 

2.  The  new  Grand  Master  shall  also  nominate  his 
new  Grand  Wardens;  and,  if  unanimously  approved 
by  the  Grand  Lodge,  they  shall  also  be  forthwith  pro 
claimed,  saluted  and  congratulated,  in  due  form. 

XXVI.  That  if  any  brother  whom  the  present  Grand 
Master  shall  nominate  for  his  successsor,  or  whom  the 
Grand  Lodge  shall  choose  by  ballot,  as  above,  be  out  of 
town,  and  has  returned  his  answer  that  he  will  accept 
of  the  office  of  Grand  Master,  he  shall  be  proclaimed, 
as  before  in  regulation  XXIII.,  and  may  be  installed 
by  proxy,  which  proxy  must  be  the  present  or  former 
Grand  Master,  who  shall  act  in  his  name,  and  receive 
the  usual  honors,  homage  and  congratulations. 

XXVII.  Every  Grand  Lodge  has  an  inherent  power 
and  authority  to  make  new  regulations,  or  to  alter  those 
for  the  real  benefit  of  the  ancient  fraternity,  provided 
always,  that  the  old  landmarks  be  carefully  preserved, 
and  that  such  new  regulations  and  alterations  be  pro 
posed  and  agreed  to  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  that 
they  be  submitted  to  the  perusal  of  all  the  brethren,  in 
writing,  whose  approbation  and  consent,  or  the  majority 
thereof,  is   absolutely  necessary  to  make  the  same 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  259 

binding  and  obligatory ;  which  must,  therefore,  after  the 
new  Grand  Master  is  installed,  be  solemnly  desired  and 
obtained  from  the  Grand  Lodge,  as  it  was  for  these  old 
regulations,  by  a  great  number  of  brethren. 

Section  Second. 

REGULATIONS     FOR     THE     GOVERNMENT     OF     THE     GRAND 
LODGE,    DURING   THE    TIME   OF   PUBLIC   BUSINESS. 

XXYIII.  1.  That  no  brother  be  admitted  into  the 
Grand  Lodge,  but  the  immediate  members  thereof,  viz: 
the  four  present  and  all  former  Grand  Officers,  the 
Treasurer,  and  Secretary,  the  Masters,  Wardens,  and 
Past  Masters  of  all  regular  Lodges,  except  a  brother 
who  is  a  petitioner,  or  a  witness  in  some  case,  or  one 
called  in  by  motion. 

2.  That  at  the  third  stroke  of  the  Grand  Master's 
gavel,  there  shall  be  a  general  silence;  and  that  he 
who  breaks  silence,  without  leave  from  the  chair,  shall 
be  publicly  reprimanded. 

3.  That  under  the  same  penalty  every  brother  shall 
keep  his  seat,  and  keep  strict  silence  whenever  the 
Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy  shall  think  fit  to  rise  from 
the  chair,  and  call  to  order. 

4.  That  in  the  Grand  Lodge  every  member  sha.ll 
keep   in  his   seat,  (according  to  the  number  of  his 
Lodge,)  and  not  move  about  from  place  to  place  during 
the  communication,  except  the   Grand  Wardens,   as 
having  more  immediately  the  care  of  the  Grand  Lodge. 

5.  That  no  brother  is  to  speak  but  once  to  the  same 


260  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

affair,  unless  to  explain  himself,  or  when  called  upon 
by  the  chair  to  speak. 

6.  Every  one  that  speaks  shall  rise,  and  keep  stand 
ing,  addressing  himself  in  a  proper  manner  to  the  chair; 
nor  shall  any  presume  to  interrupt  him,  under  the 
aforesaid  penalty;  unless  the  Grand  Master  find  him 
wandering  from  the  point  in  hand,  and  shall  think  fit 
to  reduce  him  to  order ;  for  then  the  said  speaker  shall 
sit  down :  but  after  he  has  been  set  right,  he  may  again 
proceed,  if  he  pleases. 

7.  If  in  the  Grand  Lodge  any  member  is  twice  called 
to  order  at  any  one  assembly,  for  transgressing  these 
rules,  and  is  guilty  of  a  third  offence  of  the  same  nature, 
the  chair  shall  peremptorily  order  him  to  quit  the  Lodge 
room  for  that  night. 

8.  That  whoever  shall  be  so  rude  as  to  hiss  at  any 
brother,  or  at  what  another  says  or  has  said,  he  shall 
be  forthwith  solemnly  excluded  the  communication, 
and  declared  incapable  of  ever  being  a  member  of  any 
Grand  Lodge  for  the  future,  till  another  time  he  publicly 
owns  his  fault,  and  his  grace  be  granted. 

In  order  to  preserve  harmony,  it  was  thought  neces 
sary  to  use  counters  and  a  ballotting  box  when  occasion 
requires. 

My  son,  forget  not  my  law ;  but  let  thine  heart  keep 
my  commandments,  and  remove  not  the  ANCIENT  LAND 
MARKS  which  thy  fathers  have  set. — SOLOMON. 


ANCIENT  CONSTITUTIONS. 

THE  following  Constitutions  are  re-published  from  the  first 
copy  ever  printed.  At  the  Grand  Lodge  of  England  held  on 
the  24th  of  June,  1721,  the  Duke  of  Montagu  was  elected 
Grand  Master,  who  requested  Dr.  Desaguliers  and  James 
Anderson,  D.  D.,  "men  of  genius  and  education,  to  revise, 
arrange,  and  digest  the  Gothic  Constitutions,  old  charges, 
and  general  regulations."  This  task  they  faithfully  executed ; 
and  at  the  ensuing  Grand  Lodge  held  at  the  Queen's  Arras, 
St.  Paul's  church  yard,  on  the  27th  of  December  1721,  being 
the  festival  of  St.  John  the  Evangelist,  they  presented  the 
same  for  approbation.  A  committee  of  fourteen  learned 
Brothers  was  then  appointed  to  examine  the  manuscript,  and 
to  make  their  report;  and  on  this  occasion  several  very 
entertaining  lectures  were  delivered,  and  much  useful  infor 
mation  given  by  a  few  old  Brethren. 

At  a  Grand  Lodge  held  at  the  Fountain  Tavern  in  the 
Strand  in  ample  form  on  the  25th  of  March  1722,  the  com 
mittee  reported  that  they  had  perused  the  manuscript  con 
taining  the  History,  Charges,  Regulations,  <fcc.,  of  masonry, 
and  after  some  amendments  had  approved  thereof.  The 
Grand  Lodge  ordered  the  whole  to  be  prepared  for  the  press, 
and  printed  with  all  possible  expedition.  This  order  was 
strictly  obeyed,  and  in  little  more  than  two  years  the  Book 
of  Constitutions  appeared  in  print,  under  the  following  title: 
'  The  Book  of  Constitutions  of  the  Free  Masons :  Containing 
the  History,  Charges,  Regulations,  <fec.,  of  that  most  Ancient 
and  Right  Worshipful  Fraternity.  For  the  use  of  the  Lodges.' 
London,  1723. 

From  that  edition  the  following  is  re-published,  for  the 
purpose  of  placing  it  within  the  reach  of  every  Mason,  and 
preserving  it  for  the  craft  in  all  coming  time. 

C.  MOORE. 
CINCINNATI,  Sept,  1850. 


THE 


CONSTITUTIONS  OF  THE  FREE  MASONS; 


CONTAINING    THE    HISTORY,  CHARGES,  REGULATIONS,  &C., 

OF    THAT    MOST    ANCIENT    AND    RIGHT 

WORSHIPFUL   FRATERNITY. 


THE  CHARGES  OF  A  FREE  MASON, 

EXTRACTED  from  the  ancient  records  of  Lodges 
beyond  sea,  and  of  those  in  England,  Scotland  and 
Ireland,  for  the  use  of  the  Lodges  in  London :  To  be 
read  at  the  making  of  new  brethren,  or  when  the  Master 
shall  order  it. 

THE  GENERAL  HEADS,  VIZ.' 

I.  Of  God  and  Religion. 

II.  Of  the   Civil  Magistrate,  Supreme  and  Subor 
dinate. 

III.  Of  Lodges. 

IV.  Of  Masters,  Wardens,  Fellows  and  Apprentices. 

V.  Of  the  Management  of  the  Craft  in  Working. 

VI.  Of  Behaviour,  viz : 

1.  In  the  Lodge  while  constituted. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  263 

2.  Aftei  the  Lodge  is  over,  and  the  Brethren  not 
gone. 

3.  When  Brethren  meet  without  strangers,  but  not 
in  a  Lodge. 

4.  In  presence  of  strangers  not  Masons. 

5.  At  home,  and  in  the  neighborhood. 

6.  Towards  a  strange  Brother. 

I.    CONCERNING   GOD    AND    RELIGION. 

j 

A  Mason  is  obliged,  by  his  tenure,  to  obey  the  moral 
law ;  and  if  he  rightly  understands  the  art,  he  will  never 
be  a  stupid  atheist,  nor  an  irreligious  libertine.  But 
though  in  ancient  times  Masons  were  charged  in  every 
country  to  be  of  the  religion  of  that  country  or  nation, 
whatever  it  was,  yet  'tis  now  thought  more  expedient 
only  to  oblige  them  to  that  religion  in  which  all  men 
agree,  leaving  their  particular  opinions  to  themselves ; 
that  is,  to  be  good  men  and  true,  or  men  of  honor  and 
honesty,  by  whatever  denominations  or  persuasions  they 
may  be  distinguished ;  whereby  masonry  becomes  the 
center  of  union,  and  the  means  of  conciliating  true 
friendship  among  persons  that  must  have  remained  at 
a  perpetual  distance. 

II.    OF    THE    CIVIL    MAGISTRATE,    SUPREME    AND    SUBOR 
DINATE. 

A  Mason  is  to  be  a  peaceable  subject  to  the  civil  powers, 
wherever  he  resides  or  works,  and  is  never  to  be  con 
cerned  in  plots  and  conspiracies  against  the  peace  and 


264 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 


welfare  of  the  nation,  nor  to  behave  himself  uiidutifully 
to  inferior  magistrates;  for  as  masonry  hath  been 
always  injured  by  war,  bloodshed,  and  confusion,  so 
ancient  kings  and  princes  have  been  much  disposed  to 
encourage  the  craftsmen ;  because  of  their  peaceableness 
and  loyalty,  whereby  they  practically  answered  the 
cavils  of  their  adversaries,  and  promoted  the  honor  of 
the  fraternity,  who  ever  flourished  in  times  of  peace. 
So  that  if  a  brother  should  be  a  rebel  against  the  State, 
he  is  not  to  be  countenanced  in  his  rebellion,  however 
he  may  be  pitied  as  an  unhappy  man ;  and,  if  convicted 
of  no  other  crime,  though  the  loyal  brotherhood  must 
and  ought  to  disown  his  rebellion,  and  give  no  umbrage 
or  ground  of  political  jealousy  to  the  government  for 
the  time  being,  they  cannot  expel  him  from  the  Lodge, 
and  his  relation  to  it  remains  indefeasible. 


III.    OF    LODGES. 


A  Lodge  is  a  place  where  Masons  assemble  and 
work :  Hence,  that  assembly,  or  duly  organized  society 
of  Masons,  is  called  a  Lodge,  and  every  brother  ought 
to  belong  to  one,  and  to  be  subject  to  its  by-laws  and 
general  regulations.  It  is  either  particular  or  general, 
and  will  be  best  understood  by  attending  it,  and  by 
the  regulations  of  the  General  or  Grand  Lodge  hereunto 
annexed.  In  ancient  times,  no  Master  or  Fellow  could 
be  absent  from  it,  especially  when  warned  to  appear  at 
it,  without  incurring  a  severe  censure,  until  it  appeared 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  265 

to  the  Master  and  Wardens,  that  pure  necessity  hindered 
him. 

The  persons  admitted  members  of  a  Lodge  must  be 
good  and  true  men,  free-born,  and  of  mature  and  dis 
creet  age,  no  bondmen,  no  women,  no  immoral  or 
scandalous  men,  but  of  good  report. 

VI.  OF  MASTERS,  WARDENS,  FELLOWS,  AND    APPRENTICES. 

All  preferment  among  Masons  is  grounded  upon  real 
worth  and  personal  merit  only ;  that  so  the  lords  may 
be  well  served,  the  brethren  not  put  to  shame,  nor  the 
Royal  Craft  despised :  Therefore,  no  Master  or  Warden 
is  chosen  by  seniority,  but  for  his  merit.  It  is  impos 
sible  to  describe  these  things  in  writing,  and  every 
brother  must  attend  in  his  place,  and  learn  them  in  a 
way  peculiar  to  this  fraternity :  Only  candidates  may 
know,  that  no  Master  should  take  an  Apprentice,  unless 
he  has  sufficient  employment  for  him,  and  unless  he  be 
a  perfect  youth,  having  no  maim  or  defect  in. his  body, 
that  may  render  him  incapable  of  learning  the  art,  of 
serving  his  Master's  lord,  and  of  being  made  a  brother, 
and  then  a  Fellow  Craft  in  due  time,  even  after  he  has 
served  such  a  term  of  years  as  the  custom  of  the 
country  directs ;  and  that  he  should  be  descended  of 
honest  parents ;  that  so,  when  otherwise  qualified,  he 
may  arrive  to  the  honor  of  being  the  Warden,  and  then 
the  Master  of  the  Lodge,  the  Grand  Warden,  and  at 
length  the  Grand  Marter  of  all  the  Lodges,  according 
to  his  merit. 


266  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

ISTo  brother  can  be  a  Warden  until  he  has  passed  the 
part  of  a  Fellow  Craft ;  nor  a  Master  until  he  has  acted 
as  a  Warden,  nor  Grand  Warden  until  he  has  been 
Master  of  a  Lodge,  nor  Grand  Master  unless  he  has 
been  a  Fellow  Craft  before  his  election,  who  is  also  to 
be  nobly  born,  or  a  gentleman  of  the  best  fashion,  or 
some  eminent  scholar,  or  some  curious  architect,  or 
other  artist,  descended  of  honest  parents,  and  who  is  of 
singular  great  merit  in  the  opinion  of  the  Lodges.  And 
for  the  better  and  easier,  and  more  honorable  discharge 
of  his  office,  the  Grand  Master  has  a  power  to  choose 
his  own  Deputy  Grand  Master,  who  must  be  then,  or 
must  have  been  formerly,  the  Master  of  a  particular 
Lodge,  and  has  the  privilege  of  acting  whatever  the 
Grand  Master,  his  principal,  should  act,  unless  the  said 
principal  be  present,  or  interpose  his  authority  by  a 
letter. 

These  rulers  and  governors,  supreme  and  subordi 
nate,  of  the  Ancient  Lodge,  are  to  be  obeyed  in  their 
respective  stations  by  all  the  brethren,  according  to  the 
old  charges  and  regulations,  with  all  humility,  reverence, 
love  and  alacrity. 

V.    OF    THE   MANAGEMENT   OF    THE    CRAFT   IN   WORKING. 

All  Masons  shall  work  honestly  on  working  days, 
that  they  may  live  creditably  on  holy  days ;  and  the 
time  appointed  by  the  law  of  the  land  or  confirmed  by 
custom,  shall  be  observed. 

The  most  expert  of  the  Fellow  Craftsmen  shall  be 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  267 

appointed  the  Master,  or  Overseer  of  the  lord's 
work;  who  is  to  be  called  Master  by  those  that  work 
under  him.  The  Craftsmen  are  to  avoid  all  ill  language, 
and  to  call  each  other  by  no  disobliging  name,  but 
brother  or  fellow ;  and  to  behave  themselves  courteously 
within  and  without  the  Lodge. 

The  Master,  knowing  himself  to  be  able  of  cunning, 
shall  undertake  the  lord's  work  as  reasonably  as 
possible,  and  truly  dispend  his  goods  as  if  they  were 
his  own  ;•  nor  to  give  more  wages  to  any  brother  or 
apprentice  than  he  really  may  deserve. 

Both  the  Master  and  the  Masons,  receiving  their 
wages  justly,  shall  be  faithful  to  the  lord,  and  honestly 
finish  their  work,  whether  task  or  journey ;  nor  put  the 
work  to  task,  that  hath  been  accustomed  to  journey. 

None  shall  discover  envy  at  the  prosperity  of  a 
brother,  nor  supplant  him  or  put  him  out  of  his  work, 
if  he  be  capable  to  finish  the  same ;  for  no  man  can 
finish  another's  work  so  much  to  the  lord's  profit, 
unless  he  be  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the  designs 

and  drafts  of  him  that  began  it. 

When  a  Fellow  Craftsman  is  chosen  Warden  of  the 

*rork  under  the  Master,  he  shall  be  true  both  to  Master 

and  Fellows,  shall  carefully  oversee  the  work  in  the 

Master's  absence  to  the  lord's  profit;  and  his  brethren 

shall  obey  him. 

All  Masons  employed,  shall  meekly  receive  their 

wao-es,  without  murmuring  or  mutiny,  and  not  desert 

the  Master  till  the  work  is  finished. 


268  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

A  younger  brother  shall  be  instructed  in  working, 
to  prevent  spoiling  the  materials  for  want  of  judgment, 
and  for  increasing  and  continuing  of  brotherly  love. 

All  the  tools  used  in  working  shall  be  approved  by 
the  Grand  Lodge. 

ISTo  laborer  shall  be  employed  in  the  proper  work  of 
masonry;  nor  shall  Free  Masons  work  with  those  that 
are  not  free,  without  an  urgent  necessity ;  nor  shall  they 
teach  laborers  and  unaccepted  Masons,  as  they  should 
teach  a  brother  or  fellow. 

VI.    OF   BEHAVIOUR,    VIZI 
1.    IN    THE    LODGE    WHILE    CONSTITUTED. 

You  are  not  to  hold  private  committees,  or  separate 
conversation,  without  leave  from  the  Master,  nor  to  talk 
of  any  thing  impertinent  or  unseemly,  nor  interrupt  the 
Master  or  Wardens,  or  any  brother  speaking  to  the 
Master :  Nor  behave  yourself  ludicrously  or  jestingly 
while  the  Lodge  is  engaged  in  what  is  serious  and 
solemn ;  nor  use  any  unbecoming  language  upon  any 
pretence  whatsoever ;  but  to  pay  due  reverence  to  your 
Master,  Wardens  and  Fellows,  and  put  them  to  worship. 

If  any  complaint  be  brought,  the  brother  found  guilty 
shall  stand  to  the  award  and  determination  of  the  Lodge, 
who  are  the  proper  and  competent  judges  of  all  such 
controversies,  (unless  ,you  carry  it  by  appeal  to  the 
Grand  Lodge),  and  to  whom  they  ought  to  be  referred, 
unless  a  lord's  work  be  hindered  the  mean  while,  in 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  209 

which  case  a  particular  reference  may  be  made ;  but 
you  must  never  go  to  law  about  what  concerneth 
masonry,  without  an  absolute  necessity  apparent  to  the 
Lodge. 

2.    BEHAVIOUR    AFTER    THE     LODGE    IS    OVER,    AND     THE 
BRETHREN    NOT    GONE. 

You  may  enjoy  yourselves  with  innocent  mirth, 
treating  one  another  according  to  ability,  but  avoiding 
all  excess,  or  forcing  any  brother  to  eat  or  drink  beyond 
his  inclination,  or  hindering  him  from  going  when  his 
occasions  call  him,  or  doing  or  saying  any  tiling  offen 
sive  or  that  may  forbid  an  easy  and  free  conversation; 
for  that  would  blast  our  harmony,  and  defeat  our  laud 
able  purposes.  Therefore,  no  private  piques  or  quarrels 
must  be  brought  within  the  door  of  the  Lodge,  far  less 
any  quarrels  about  religion,  or  nations,  or  State  policy, 
we  being  only,  as  Masons,  of  the  Catholic  Religion 
above  mentioned ;  we  are  also  of  all  nations,  tongues, 
kindreds,  and  languages,  and  are  resolved  against  all 
politics,  as  what  never  yet  conduced  to  the  welfare  of 
the  Lodge,  nor  ever  will.  This  charge  has  been  always 
strictly  enjoined  and  observed;  but  especially  ever  since 
the  reformation  in  Britain,  or  the  dissent  and  secession 
of  these  nations  from  the  communion  of  Rome. 

3.    BEHAVIOUR  WHEN   BRETHREN   MEET   WITHOUT  STRAN 
GERS,    BUT   NOT   IN   A   LODGE   FORMED. 

You  are  to  salute  one  another  in  a  courteous  manner, 


270  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

as  you  will  be  instructed,  calling  each  other  brother, 
freely  giving  mutual  instruction,  as  shall  be  thought 
expedient,  without  being  overseen  or  overheard,  and 
without  encroaching  upon  each  other,  or  derogating 
from  that  respect  which  is  due  to  any  brother,  were  he 
not  a  Mason;  for  though  all  Masons  are  as  brethren 
upon  the  same  level,  yet  masonry  takes  no  honor  from 
a  man  that  he  had  before ;  nay  rather  it  adds  to  his 
honor,  especially  if  he  has  deserved  well  of  the  brother 
hood,  who  must  give  honor  to  whom  it  is  due,  and 
avoid  ill  manners. 

4.  BEHAVIOUR  IN  PRESENCE  OF  STRANGERS  NOT   MASONS. 

You  shall  be  cautious  in  your  words  and  carriage, 
that  the  most  penetrating  stranger  shall  not  be  able  to 
discover  or  find  out  what  is  not  proper  to  be  intimated ; 
and  sometimes  you  shall  divert  a  discourse,  and  manage 
it  prudently  for  the  honor  of  the  worshipful  Fraternity. 

5.  BEHAVIOUR   AT    HOME  AND    IN    YOUR   NEIGHBORHOOD. 

You  are  to  act  as  becomes  a  moral  and  wise  man ; 
particularly,  not  to  let  your  family,  friends,  and  neigh 
bors,  know  the  concerns  of  the  Lodge,  &c.,  but  wisely 
to  consult  your  own  honor,  and  that  of  the  ancient 
brotherhood,  for  reasons  not  to  be  mentioned  here. 
You  must  also  consult  your  health,  by  not  continuing 
together  too  late,  or  too  long  from  home,  after  Lodge 
hours  are  past ;  and  by  avoiding  of  gluttony  or  drunk 
enness,  that  your  families  be  not  neglected  or  injured, 
nor  you  disabled  from  working, 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  271 

6.   BEHAVIOUR    TOWARDS    A    STRANGE    BROTHER. 

You  are  cautiously  to  examine  him,  in  such  a  method 
as  prudence  shall  direct  you,  that  you  may  not  be  im 
posed  upon  by  an  ignorant  false  pretender,  whom  you 
are  to  reject  with  contempt  and  derision,  and  beware 
of  giving  him  any  hints  of  knowledge. 

But  if  you  discover  him  to  be  a  true  and  genuine 
brother,  you  are  to  respect  him  accordingly ;  and  if  he 
is  in  want,  you  must  relieve  him  if  you  can,  or  else 
direct  him  how  he  may  be  relieved :  You  must  employ 
him  some  days,  or  else  recommend  him  to  be  employed. 
But  you  are  not  charged  to  do  beyond  your  ability, 
only  to  prefer  a  poor  brother,  that  is  a  good  man  and 
true,  before  any  other  poor  people  in  the  same  cir 
cumstances. 

Finally,  All  these  charges  you  are  to  observe,  and 
also  those  that  are  to  be  communicated  to  you  in  an 
other  way ;  cultivating  brotherly  love,  the  foundation 
and  cap-stone,  the  cement  and  glory  of  this  ancient 
fraternity,  avoiding  all  wrangling  and  quarrelling,  all 
slander  and  backbiting,  nor  permitting  others  to  slander 
any  honest  brother,  but  defending  his  character,  and 
doing  him  all  good  offices,  as  far  as  is  consistent  with 
your  honor  and  safety,  and  no  farther.  And  if  any  of 
them  do  you  injury,  you  must  apply  to  your  own  or 
his  Lodge ;  and  from  thence  you  may  appeal  to  the 
Grand  Lodge  at  the  quarterly  communication,  and  from 
thence  to  the  annual  Grand  Lodge,  as  has  been  the 


272  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

ancient  laudable  conduct  of  our  forefathers  in  every 
nation;  never  taking  a  legal  course  but  when  the  case 
cannot  be  otherwise  decided,  and  patiently  listening  to 
the  honest  and  friendly  advice  of  Master  and  Fellows, 
when  they  would  prevent  your  going  to  law  with 
strangers,  or  would  excite  you  to  put  a  speedy  period 
to  all  law  suits,  that  so  you  may  mind  the  affair  of 
masonry  with  the  more  alacrity  and  success ;  but  with 
respect  to  brothers  or  fellows  at  law,  the  Master  and 
brethren  should  kindly  offer  their  mediation,  which 
ought  to  be  thankfully  submitted  to  by  the  contending 
brethren ;  and  if  that  submission  is  impracticable,  they 
must  however,  carry  on  their  process,  or  law  suit, 
without  wrath  and  rancor,  (not  in  the  common  way,) 
saying  or  doing  nothing  which  may  hinder  brotherly 
love,  and  good  offices  to  be  renewed  and  continued  ; 
that  all  may  see  the  benign  influence  of  masonry,  as 
all  true  Masons  have  done  from  the  beginning  of  the 
world,  and  will  do  to  the  end  of  time.  Amen,  so  mote 
it  be. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  273 

POSTSCRIPT. 

A  worthy  brother,  learned  in  the  law,  has  commu 
nicated  to  the  Author  (while  this  sheet  was  printing) 
the  opinion  of  the  great  Judge  Coke  upon  the  act  against 
Masons,  3  Hen.  VI.  Chap.  1.  which  is  printed  in  this 
Book,  page,  35,  and  which  quotation  the  Author  has 
compared  with  the  original,  viz : 

COKE'S   INSTITUTES,    3D    PART,    FOL.    99. 

The  cause  wherefore  this  offence  was  made  felony,  is 
for  that  the  good  course  and  effect  of  the  statutes  of 
laborers  were  thereby  violated  and  broken.  Now, 
(says  my  Lord  Coke)  all  the  statutes  concerning  la 
borers,  before  this  act,  and  whereunto  this  act  doth 
refer,  are  repealed  by  the  statute  of  5.  JEliz.  Cap.  4. 
whereby  the  cause  and  end  of  the  making  of  this  act, 
is  taken  away ;  and  consequently  this  act  is  become  of 
no  force  or  effect :  for  cessante  ratione  Legis,  cessat  ipsa 
Lex :  And  the  indictment  of  felony  upon  this  statute 
must  contain,  that  those  Chapters  and  Congregations 
were  to  the  violating  and  breaking  of  the  good  course 
and  effect  of  the  statutes  of  laborers ;  which  now  cannot 
be  so  alleged,  because  the  statutes  be  repealed.  There 
fore,  this  would  be  put  out  of  the  charge  of  justices  of 
peace,  written  by  Master  Lambert,  p.  227. 

This  quotation  confirms  the  tradition  of  old  Masons, 
that  this  most  learned  Judge  really  belonged  to  the 
ancient  Lodge,  and  was  a  faithful  brother. 
18 


274  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

GENERAL  REGULATIONS, 

Compiled  first  by  Mr.  George  Payne,  Anno,  1720 
when  he  was  Grand  Master,  and  approved  by  the 
Grand  Lodge  on  St.  John  Baptist's  Day,  Anno,  1721, 
at  Stationer's  Hall,  London;  when  the  most  noble 
prince,  JOHN,  DUKE  OF  MONTAGU,  was  unanimously 
chosen  our  Grand  Master  for  the  year  ensuing ;  who 
chose  JOHN  BEAL,  M.  D.  his  Deputy  Grand  Master; 
Mr.  JOSIAH  YILLINEAU,  and  Mr.  THOMAS  MORRIS,  Jr. 
were  chosen  by  the  Lodge  Grand  Wardens.  And 
now,  by  the  command  of  our  said  Right  Worshipful 
Grand  Master  MONTAGU,  the  Author  of  this  Book 
has  compared  them  with,  and  reduced  them  to  the 
ancient  records  and  immemorial  usages  of  the  Fra 
ternity,  and  digested  them  into  this  new  method, 
with  several  proper  explications,  for  the  use  of  the 
Lodges  in  and  about  London  and  Westminster. 

I.  The  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  hath  authority 
and  right,  not  only  to  be  present  in  any  true  Lodge, 
but  also  to  preside  wherever  he  is,  with  the  Master  of 
the  Lodge  on  his  left  hand,  and  to  order  his  Grand 
Wardens  to  attend  him,  who  are  not  to  act  in  particular 
Lodges  as  Wardens,  but  in  his  presence,  and  at  his 
command ;  because  there  the  Grand  Master  may  com 
mand  the  Wardens  of  that  Lodge,  or  any  other  breth 
ren,  he  pleaseth,  to  attend  and  act  as  his  Wardens  pro 
iempore. 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  275 

II.  The  Master  of  a  particular  Lodge  has  the  right 
and  authority  of  congregating  the  members  of  his  Lodge 
into  a  Chapter  at  pleasure,  upon  any  emergency  or 
occurrence,  as  well  as  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of 
their  usual  forming:  And  in  case  of  sickness,  death, 
or  necessary  absence  of  the  Master,  the  Senior  Warden 
shall  act  as  Master  pro  tempore,  if  no  brother  is  present 
who  has  been  Master  of  that  Lodge  before ;  for  in  that 
case,  the  absent  Master's  authority  reverts  to  the  last 
Master  then  present,  though  he  cannot  act  until  the 
said  Senior  Warden  has  once  congregated  the  Lodge, 
or  in  his  absence  the  Junior  Warden. 

III.  The  Master  of  each  particular  Lodge,  or  one 
of  the  Wardens,  or  some  other  brother  by  his  order, 
shall  keep  a  book  containing  their  by-laws,  the  names 
of  their  members,  with  a  list  of  all  the  Lodges  in  town, 
and  the  usual  times  and  places  of  their  forming,  and 
all  their  transactions  that  are  proper  to  be  written. 

IV.  ISTo   Lodge   shall   make   more   than   five   new 
brethren  at  one  time,  nor  any  man  under  the  age  of 
twenty-five,  who  must  be  also  his  own  master ;  unless 
by  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy. 

V.  No  man  can  be  made  or  admitted  a  member  of 
a  particular  Lodge,  without  previous  notice,  one  month 
before  given  to  the  said  Lodge,  in  order  to  make  due 
enquiry  into  the  reputation  and  capacity  of  the  candi 
date  ;  unless  by  the  dispensation  aforesaid. 

VI.  But  no  man  can  be  entered  a  Brother  in  any 
particular  Lodge,  or  admitted  to  be  a  member  thereof, 


276  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

without  the  unanimous  consent  of  all  the  members  of 
that  Lodge  then  present,  when  the  candidate  is  pro 
posed,  and  their  consent  is  formally  asked  by  the 
Master ;  and  they  are  to  signify  their  consent  or  dissent 
in  their  own  prudent  way,  either  virtually  or  in  form, 
but  with  unanimity;  nor  is  this  inherent  privilege 
subject  to  a  dispensation ;  because  the  members  of  a 
particular  Lodge  are  the  best  judges  of  it;  and  if  a 
fractious  member  should  be  imposed  on  them,  it  might 
spoil  their  harmony,  or  hinder  their  freedom :  or  even 
break  and  disperse  the  Lodge,  which  ought  to  be 
avoided  by  all  good  and  true  brethren. 

VII.  Every  new  brother  at  his  making  is  decently  to 
clothe  the  Lodge,  that  is,  all  the  brethren  present,  and 
to  deposit  something  for  the  relief  of  the  indigent  and 
decayed  brethren,  as  the  candidate  shall  think  fit  to 
bestow,  over  and  above  the  small  allowance  stated  by 
the  by-laws  of  that  particular  Lodge:  which  charity 
shall  be  lodged  with  the  Master  or  Wardens,  or  the 
cashier,  if  the  members  think  fit  to  choose  one. 

And  the  candidate  shall  also  solemnly  promise  to 
submit  to  the  Constitutions,  the  Charges,  and  Regula 
tions,  and  to  such  other  good  usages  as  shall  be  inti 
mated  to  them  in  time  and  place  convenient. 

VIII.  No  set  or  number  of  brethren  shall  withdraw 
or  separate  themselves  from  the  Lodge  in  which  they 
were   made   brethren,   or    were   afterwards   admitted 
members,  unless  the  Lodge  becomes  too  numerous, 
nor  even  then,  without  a  dispensation  from  the  Grand 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  277 

Master  or  his  Deputy:  And  when  they  are  thus  sep 
arated,  they  must  either  immediately  join  themselves 
to  such  other  Lodge  as  they  shall  like  best,  with  the 
unanimous  consent  of  that  other  Lodge  to  which  they 
go  (as  above  regulated)  or  else  they  must  obtain  the 
Grand  Master's  warrant  to  join  in  forming  a  new  Lodge. 
If  any  set  or  number  of  Masons  shall  take  upon 
themselves  to  form  a  Lodge  without  the  Grand  Master's 
warrant,  the  regular  Lodges  are  not  to  countenance 
them,  nor  own  them  as  fair  brethren  and  duly  formed, 
nor  approve  of  their  acts  and  deeds ;  but  must  treat 
them  as  rebels,  until  they  humble  themselves,  as  the 
Grand  Master  shall,  in  his  prudence  direct,  and  until 
he  approve  of  them  by  his  warrant,  which  must  be 
signified  to  the  other  Lodges,  as  the  custom  is  when  a 
new  Lodge  is  to  be  registered  in  the  list  of  Lodges. 

IX.  But  if  any  brother  so  far  misbehave  himself  as 
to  render  his  Lodge  uneasy,  he  shall  be  twice  duly 
admonished  by  the  Master  or  Wardens  in  a  formed 
Lodge ;  and  if  he  will  not  refrain  his  imprudence,  and 
obediently  submit  to  the  advice  of  the  brethren,  and 
reform  what  gives  them  offence,  he  shall  be  dealt  with 
according  to  the  by-laws  of  that  particular  Lodge,  or 
else  in  such  a  manner  as  the  Quarterly  Communication 
shall  in  their  great  prudence  think  fit;  for  which  a  new 
regulation  may  be  afterwards  made. 

X.  The  majority  of  every  particular  Lodge,  when 
congregated,  shall  have  the  privilege  of  giving  instruc 
tions  to  their  Master  and  Wardens,  before  the  assem- 


278  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

bling  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  or  Lodge,  at  the  three 
Quarterly  Communications  hereafter  mentioned,  and 
of  the  Annual  Grand  Lodge  too ;  because  their  Master 
and  Wardens  are  their  representatives,  and  are  supposed 
to  speak  their  mind. 

XI.  All  particular  Lodges  are  to  observe  the  same 
usages  as  much  as  possible ;  in  order  to  which,  and  for 
cultivating  a  good  understanding  among  Free  Masons, 
some  members  out  of  every  Lodge  shall  be  deputed  to 
visit  the  other  Lodges  as  often  as  shall  be  thought 
convenient. 

XII.  The  Grand  Lodge  consists  of,  and  is  formed 
by  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  all  the  regular  par 
ticular  Lodges  upon  record,  with  the  Grand  Master  at 
their  head,  and  his  Deputy  on  his  left  hand,  and  the 
Grand  Wardens  in  their  proper  places ;  and  must  have 
a  Quarterly  Communication  about  Michaelmas,  Christ 
mas,  and  Lady-Day,  in  some  convenient  place,  as  the 
Grand  Master  shall  appoint,  where  no  brother  shall  be 
present,  who  is  not  at  that  time  a  member  thereof, 
without  a  dispensation;  and  while  he  stays,  he  shall 
not  be  allowed  to  vote,  nor  even  give  his  opinion, 
without  leave  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  asked  and  given,  or 
unless  it  be  duly  asked  by  the  said  Lodge. 

All  matters  are  to  be  determined  in  the  Grand  Lodge 
by  a  majority  of  votes,  each  member  having  one  vote, 
and  the  Grand  Master  having  two  votes,  unless  the  said 
Lodge  leave  any  particular  thing  to  the  determination 
of  the  Grand  Master,  for  the  sake  o"  expedition. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  279 

XIII.  At  the  said  Quarterly  Communication,  all 
matters  that  concern  the  Fraternity  in  general,  or  par 
ticular  Lodges,  or  single  brethren,  are  quietly,  sedately, 
and  maturely  to  be  discoursed  of  and  transacted :  Ap 
prentices  must  be  admitted  Masters  and  Fellow  Craft 
only  here,  unless  by  a  dispensation.  Here  also  all 
differences,  that  cannot  be  made  up  and  accommodated 
privately,  nor  by  a  particular  Lodge,  are  to  be  seriously 
considered  and  decided.  And  if  any  brother  thinks 
himself  aggrieved  by  the  decision  of  this  board,  he  may 
appeal  to  the  Annual  Grand  Lodge  next  ensuing,  and 
leave  his  appeal  in  writing,  with  the  Grand  Master,  or 
his  Deputy,  or  the  Grand  Wardens. 

Here  also,  the  Master  or  the  Wardens  of  each  par 
ticular  Lodge,  shall  bring  and  produce  a  list  of  such 
members  as  have  been  made,  or  even  admitted  in  their 
particular  Lodges,  since  the  last  communication  of  the 
Grand  Lodge :  And  there  shall  be  a  book  kept  by  the 
Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  or  rather  by  some  brother 
whom  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  appoint  for  Secretary, 
wherein  shall  be  recorded  all  the  Lodges,  with  their 
usual  times  and  places  of  forming,  and  names  of  all 
the  members  of  each  Lodge ;  and  all  the  affairs  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  that  are  proper  to  be  written. 

They  shall  also  consider  of  the.  most  prudent  and 
effectual  methods  of  collecting  and  disposing  of  what 
money  shall  be  given  to,  or  lodged  with  them  in  charity, 
towards  the  relief  only  of  any  true  brother,  fallen  into 
poverty  or  decay,  but  of  none  else :  But  every  particular 


280  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

Lodge  shall  dispose  of  their  own  charity  for  poor 
brethren,  according  to  their  own  by-laws,  until  it  be 
agreed  by  all  the  Lodges  (in  a  new  regulation)  to 
carry  in  the  charity  collected  by  them  to  the  Grand 
Lodge  at  the  Quarterly  or  Annual  Communication,  in 
order  to  make  a  common  stock  of  it,  for  the  more 
handsome  relief  of  poor  brethren. 

They  shall  also  appoint  a  Treasurer,  a  brother  of 
good  worldly  substance,  who  shall  be  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Lodge  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  shall  be  always 
present,  and  have  power  to  move  to  the  Grand  Lodge 
any  thing,  especially  what  concerns  his  office.  To  him 
shall  be  committed  all  money  raised  for  charity,  or  for 
any  other  use  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  he  shall  write 
down  in  a  book,  with  the  respective  ends  and  uses  for 
which  the  several  sums  are  intended ;  and  shall  expend 
or  disburse  the  same  by  such  a  certain  order  signed, 
as  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  afterwards  agree  to  in  a  new 
regulation :  But  he  shall  not  vote  in  choosing  a  Grand 
Master  or  Wardens,  though  in  every  other  transaction. 
As  in  like  manner  the  Secretary  shall  be  a  member  of 
the  Grand  Lodge  by  virtue  of  his  office,  and  vote  in 
every  thing  except  in  choosing  a  Grand  Master  or 
Wardens. 

The  Treasurer  and  Secretary  shall  have  each  a  clerk, 
who  must  be  a  brother  and  Fellow  Craft,  but  never 
must  be  a  member  of  the.  Grand  Lodge,  nor  speak 
without  being  allowed  or  desired. 

The  Grand   Master,  or  his   Deputy,  shall  always 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  281 

command  the  Treasurer  and  Secretary,  with  their 
clerks  and  books,  in  order  to  see  how  matters  go  on, 
and  to  know  what  is  expedient  to  be  done  upon  any 
emergent  occasion. 

Another  brother  (who  must  be  a  Fellow  Craft)  should 
be  appointed  to  look  after  the  door  of  the  Grand  Lodge; 
but  shall  be  no  member  of  it. 

But  these  offices  may  be  farther  explained  by  a  new 
regulation,  when  the  necessity  and  expediency  of  them 
may  more  appear  than  at  present  to  the  Fraternity. 

XIV.  If  at  any  Grand  Lodge,  stated  or  occasional, 
quarterly  or  annual,  the  Grand  Master  and  his  Deputy 
should  be  both  absent,  then  the  present  Master  of 
a  Lodge,  that  has  been  the  longest  a  Free  Mason, 
shall  take  the  chair,  and  preside  as  Grand  Master  pro 
tempore;  and  shall  be  vested  with  all  his  power  and 
honor  for  the  time ;  provided  there  is  no  brother  present 
that  has  been  Grand  Master  formerly,  or  Deputy  Grand 
Master ;  for  the  last  Grand  Master  present,  or  else  the 
last  Deputy  present,  should  always  of  right,  take  place 
in  the  absence  of  the  present  Grand  Master  and  his 
Deputy. 

XV.  In  the  Grand  Lodge  none  can  act  as  Wardens 
but  the  Grand  Wardens  themselves,  if  present;  and  if 
absent,  the  Grand  Master,  or  the  person  who  presides 
in  his  place,  shall  order  private  Wardens  to  act  as  Grand 
Wardens  pro  tempore,  whose  places  are  to  be  supplied 
by  two  Fellow  Craft  of  the  same  Lodge,  called  forth 
to  act,  or  sent  thither  by  the  particular  Master  thereof; 


282  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

or  if  by  him  omitted,  then  they  shall  be  called  by  the 
Grand  Master,  that  so  the  Grand  Lodge  may  be  always 
complete. 

XVI.  The  Grand  Wardens  or  any  others,  are  first 
to  advise  with  the  Deputy  about  the  affairs  of  the  Lodge 
or  of  the  brethren,  and  not  to  apply  to  the  Grand  Mas 
ter  without  the  knowledge  of  the  Deputy,  unless  he 
refuse  his  concurrence  in  any  certain  necessary  affair ; 
in  which  case,  or  in  case  of  any  difference  between  the 
Deputy  and  the  Grand  Wardens,  or  other  brethren, 
both  parties  are  to  go  by  concert  to  the  Grand  Master, 
who  can  easily  decide  the  controversy,  and  make  up 
the  difference  by  virtue  of  his  great  authority. 

The  Grand  Master  should  receive  no  intimation  of 
business  concerning  masonry,  but  from  his  Deputy  first, 
except  in  such  certain  cases  as  his  Worship  can  well 
judge  of ;  for  if  the  application  to  the  Grand  Master  be 
irregular,  he  can  easily  order  the  Grand  Wardens,  or 
any  other  brethren  thus  applying,  to  wait  upon  his 
Deputy,  who  is  to  prepare  the  business  speedily,  and 
to  lay  it  orderly  before  his  Worship. 

XVII.  No   Grand  Master,  Deputy  Grand  Master, 
Grand  Wardens,  Treasurer,  Secretary,  or  whoever  acts 
for  them,  or  in  their  stead,  pro  tempore,  can  at  the  same 
time  be  the  Master  or  Warden  of  a  particular  Lodge ; 
but  as  soon  as  any  of  them  has  honorably  discharged  his 
Grand  Office,  he  returns  to  that  post  or  station  in  his 
particular  Lodge,  from  which  he  was  called  to  officiate 
above. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  283 

XVIII.  If  the  Deputy   Grand  Master  be  sick,  or 
necessarily  absent,  the  Grand  Master  may  choose  any 
Fellow  Craft  he  pleases,  to  be  his  Deputy  pro  tempore: 
But  he  that  is  chosen  Deputy  at  the  Grand  Lodge,  and 
the  Grand  Wardens  too,  cannot  be  discharged  without 
the  cause  fairly  appear  to  the  majority  of  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  and  the  Grand  Master  if  he  is  uneasy,  may  call 
a  Grand  Lodge  on  purpose  to  lay  the  cause  before  them, 
and  to  have  their  advice  and  concurrence :  In  which 
case,  the  majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  if  they  cannot 
reconcile  the  Master  and  his  Deputy  or  his  Wardens,  are 
to  concur  in  allowing  the  Master  to  discharge  his  said 
Deputy  or  his  said  Wardens,  and  to  choose  another 
Deputy  immediately;  and  the  said  Grand  Lodge  shall 
choose  other  Wardens  in  that  case,  that  harmony  and 
peace  may  be  preserved. 

XIX.  If  the  Grand  Master  should  abuse  his  power, 
and  render  himself  unworthy  of  the  obedience  and 
subjection  of  the  Lodge,  he  shall  be  treated  in  a  way 
and  manner  to  be  agreed  upon  in  a  new  regulation ; 
because  hitherto  the  ancient  Fraternity  have  had  no 
occasion  for  it,  their  former  Grand  Masters  having  all 
behaved  themselves  worthy  of  that  honorable  office. 

XX.  The  Grand  Master  with  his  Deputy  and  War 
dens,  shall  (at  least  once)  go  round  and  visit  all  the 
Lodges  about  town  during  his  Mastership. 

XXI.  If  the  Grand  Master  die  during  his  Mastership, 
or  by  sickness,  or  by  being  beyond  sea,  or  any  other 
way  should  be  rendered  uncapable  of  discharging  his 


284  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

office,  the  Deputy,  or  in  his  absence  the  Senior  Grand 
Warden,  or  in  his  absence  the  Junior,  or  in  his  absence 
any  three  present  Masters  of  Lodges,  shall  join  to 
congregate  the  Grand  Lodge  immediately,  to  advise 
together  upon  that  emergency,  and  to  send  two  of  their 
number  to  invite  the  last  Grand  Master  to  resume  his 
office,  which  now  in  course  reverts  to  him;  or  if  he 
refuse,  then  the  next  last,  and  so  backward:  But  if  no 
former  Grand  Master  can  be  found,  then  the  Deputy 
shall  act  as  principal,  until  another  is  chosen;  or  if 
there  be  no  deputy,  then  the  oldest  Master. 

XXII.  The  brethren  of  all  the  Lodges  in  and  about 
London  and  Westminster,  shall  meet  at  an  Annual 
Communication  and  Feast,  in  some  convenient  place, 
on  St.  John  Baptist's  day,  or  else  on  St.  John  Evange 
list's  day,  as  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  think  fit  by  a  new 
regulation,  having  of  late  years  met  on  St.  John  Bap 
tist's  day :  Provided,  the  majority  of  the  Masters  and 
Wardens,  with  the  Grand  Master,  his  Deputy  and 
Wardens,  agree  at  their  Quarterly  Communication, 
three  months  before,  that  there  shall  be  a  feast,  and  a 
General  Communication  of  all  the  brethren:  For,  if 
either  the  Grand  Master,  or  the  majority  of  the  particular 
Masters,  are  against  it,  it  must  be  dropt  for  that  time. 

But  whether  there  shall  be  a  feast  for  all  the  brethren, 
or  not,  yet  the  Grand  Lodge  must  meet  in  some  con 
venient  place  annually  on  St.  John's  day  ;  or  if  it  be 
Sunday,  then  on  the  next  day,  in  order  to  choose  every 
year  a  new  Grand  Master,  Deputy,  and  Wardens. 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  285 

XXIII.  If  it  be  thought  expedient,  and  the  Grand 
Master,  with  the  majority  of  the  Masters  and  Wardens, 
agree  to  hold  a  Grand  Feast,  according  to  the  ancient 
laudable  custom  of  Masons,  then  the  Grand  Wardens 
shall  have  the  care  of  preparing  the  tickets,  sealed 
with  the  Grand  Master's  seal,  of  disposing  of  the  tickets, 
of  receiving  the  money  for  the  tickets,  of  buying  the 
materials  of  the  feast,  of  finding  out  a  proper  and 
convenient  place  to  feast  in,  and  of  every  other  thing 
that  concerns  the  entertainment. 

But  that  the  work  may  not  be  too  burthensome  to 
the  two  Grand  Wardens,  and  that  all  matters  may  be 
expeditiously  and  safely  managed,  the  Grand  Master, 
or  his  Deputy  shall  have  power  to  nominate  and  ap 
point  a  certain  number  of  Stewards,  as  his  Worship 
shall  think  fit,  to  act  in  concert  with  the  two  Grand 
Wardens ;  all  things  relating  to  the  feast  being  decided 
amongst  them  by  a  majority  of  voices;  except  the 
Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy  interpose  by  a  particular 
direction  or  appointment. 

XXIV.  The  Wardens  and  Stewards  shall,  in  due 
time,  wait  upon  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy,  for 
directions  and  orders  about  the  premises;  but  if  his 
Worship  and  his  Deputy  are  sick,  or  necessarily  absent, 
they  shall  call  together  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of 
Lodges  to  meet  oil  purpose  for  their  advice  and  orders; 
or  else  they  may  take  the  matter  wholly  upon  them 
selves,  and  do  the  best  they  can. 

The  Grand  Wardens  and  the  Stewards  are  to  account 


286  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

for  all  the  money  they  receive,  or  expend,  to  the  Grand 
Lodge,  after  dinner,  or  when  the  Grand  Lodge  shall 
think  fit  to  receive  their  accounts. 

If  the  Grand  Master  pleases,  he  may  in  due  time 
summon  all  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  Lodges  to 
consult  with  them  about  ordering  the  Grand  Feast, 
and  about  any  emergency  or  accidental  thing  relating 
thereunto,  that  may  require  advice ;  or  else  to  take  it 
upon  himself  altogether. 

XXV.  The  Masters  of  Lodges  shall  each  appoint  one 
experienced  and  discreet  Fellow  Craft  of  his  Lodge,  to 
compose  a  committee,  consisting  of  one  from  every 
Lodge,  who  shall   meet  to  receive,  in   a  convenient 
appartment,  every  person  that  brings  a  ticket,  and  shall 
have  power  to  discourse  him,  if  they  think  fit,  in  order 
to  admit  him,  or  debar  him,  as  they  shall  see  cause. 
Provided,  they  send  no  man  away  before  they  have 
acquainted  all  the  brethren  within  the  doors  with  the 
reason  thereof,   to  avoid   mistakes;   that  so  no  true 
brother  may  be  debarred,  nor  a  false  brother,  or  mere 
pretender  admitted.     This  committee  must  meet  very 
early  on  St.  John's  day  at  the  place,  even  before  any 
persons  come  with  tickets. 

XXVI.  The  Grand  Master  shall  appoint  two  or  more 
trusty  brethren  to  be  porters,  or  door-keepers,  who  are 
also  to  be  early  at  the  place,  for  some  good  reasons ; 
and  who  are  to  be  at  the  command  of  the  committee. 

XXVII.  The  Grand  Wardens,  or  the  Stewards,  shall 
appoint  beforehand  such  a  number  of  brethren  to  serve 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  287 

at  table  as  they  think  fit  and  proper  for  that  work ;  and 
they  may  advise  with  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of 
Lodges  about  the  most  proper  persons,  if  they  please, 
or  may  take  in  such  by  their  recommendation ;  for  none 
are  to  serve  that  day,  but  free  and  accepted  Masons, 
that  the  Communication  may  be  free  and  harmonious. 
XXVIII.  All  the  members  of  the  Grand  Lodge  must 
be  at  the  place  long  before  dinner,  with  the  Grand 
Master,  or  his  Deputy,  at  their  head,  who  shall  retire, 
and  form  themselves.  And  this  is  done  in  order, 

1.  To  receive  any  appeals  duly  lodged,  as  above 
regulated,  that  the  appellant  may  be  heard,  and  the 
affair  may  be  amicably  decided  before  dinner,  if  pos 
sible  ;  but  if  it  cannot,  it  must  be  delayed  till  after  the 
new   Grand  Master  is  elected;   and  if  it  cannot  be 
decided  after  dinner,  it  may  be  delayed,  referred  to  a 
particular  committee,  that  shall  quietly  adjust  it,  and 
make  report  to  the  next  Quarterly  Communication,  that 
brotherly  love  may  be  preserved. 

2.  To  prevent  any  difference  or  disgust  which  may 
be  feared  to  arise  that  day ;  that  no  interruption  may 
be  given  to  the  harmony  and  pleasure  of  the  Grand 
Feast. 

3.  To  consult  about  whatever  concerns  the  decency 
and  decorum  of  the  Grand  Asssembly,  and  to  prevent 
all   indecency  and   ill   manners,  the  assembly  being 
promiscuous. 

4.  To  receive  and  consider  of  any  good  motion,  or 
any  momentous  and  important  affair,  that  shall  be 


288  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

brought  from  the  particular  Lodges,  by  their  Repre 
sentatives,  the  several  Masters  and  Wardens. 

XXIX.  After  these  things  are  discussed,  the  Grand 
Master  and  his  Deputy,  the  Grand  Wardens,  or  the 
Stewards,  the  Secretary,  the  Treasurer,  the   Clerks, 
and  every  other  person,  shall  withdraw,  and  leave  the 
Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  particular  Lodges  alone, 
in  order  to  consult  amicably  about  electing  a  new  Grand 
Master,  or  continuing  the  present,  if  they  have  not  done 
it  the  day  before :  and  if  they  are  unanimous  for  con 
tinuing  the  present  Grand  Master,  his  Worship  shall 
be  called  in,  and  humbly  desired  to  do  the  fraternity 
the  honor  of  ruling  them  for  the  year  ensuing:  and 
after  dinner  it  will  be  known  whether  he  accepts  of  it 
or  not:   for  it  should  not  be  discovered  but  by  the 
election  itself. 

XXX.  Then  the  Masters  and  Wardens,  and  all  the 
brethren,  may  converse  promiscuously,  or  as  they  please 
to  sort  together,  until  the  dinner  is  coming  in,  when 
every  brother  takes  his  seat  at  table. 

XXXI.  Some  time  after  dinner  the  Grand  Lodge  is 
formed,  not  in  retirement,  but  in  the  presence  of  all  the 
brethren,  who  yet  are  not  members  of  it,  and  must  not 
speak  until  they  are  desired  and  allowed. 

XXXII.  .If  the  Grand  Master  of  last  year  has  con 
sented  with  the  Master  and  Wardens  in  private,  before 
dinner,  to  continue  for  the  year  ensuing,  then  one  of 
the    Grand   Lodge,   deputed   for  that  purpose,  shall 
represent  to  all  the  brethren  his  Worship's  good  gov- 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  289 

ernment,  &c.  And  turning  to  him,  shall,  in  the  name 
of  the  Grand  Lodge,  humbly  request  him  to  do  the 
fraternity  the  great  honor  (if  nobly  born,  if  not)  the 
great  kindness,  of  continuing  to  be  their  Grand  Master 
for  the  year  ensuing.  And  his  Worship  declaring  his 
consent  by  a  bow  or  speech,  as  he  pleases,  the  said 
deputed  member  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  proclaim 
him  Grand  Master,  and  all  the  members  of  the  Lodge 
shall  salute  him  in  due  form.  And  all  the  brethren 
shall  for  a  few  minutes  have  leave  to  declare  their 
satisfaction,  pleasure  and  congratulation. 

XXXIII.  But  if  either  the  Master  and  Wardens  have 
not  in  private,  this  day  before  dinner,  nor  the  day  before, 
desired  the  last  Grand  Master  to  continue  in  the  Mas 
tership  another  year ;  or  if  he,  when  desired,  has  not 
consented :  then,  the  last  Grand  Master  shall  nominate 
his  successor  for  the  year  ensuing,  who,  if  unanimously 
approved  by  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  if  there  present, 
shall  be  proclaimed,  saluted,  and  congratulated  the  new 
Grand  Master  as  above  hinted,  and  immediately  installed 
by  the  last  Grand  Master,  according  to  usage. 

XXXIV.  But,  if  that  nomination  is  not  unanimously 
approved,  the  new  Grand  Master  shall  be  chosen  im 
mediately  by  ballot,  every  Master  and  Warden  writing 
his  man's  name,  and  the  last  Grand  Master  writing1 

O 

his  man's  name  too;  and  the  man,  whose  name  the 
last  Grand  Master  shall  first  take  out,  casually  or  by 
chance,  shall  be  Grand  Master  for  the  year  ensuing; 
and  if  present,  he  shall  be  proclaimed,  saluted,  and 
19 


290  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

congratulated,  as  above  hinted,  and  forthwith  installed 
by  the  last  Grand  Master,  according  to  usage. 

XXXV.  The  last  Grand  Master  thus  continued,  or 
the  new  Grand  Master  thus  installed,  shall  next  nom 
inate  and  appoint  his  Deputy  Grand  Master,  either  the 
last  or  a  new  one,  who  shall  be  also  declared,  saluted 
and  congratulated  as  above  hinted. 

The  Grand  Master  shall  also  nominate  the  new  Grand 
Wardens,  and  if  unanimously  approved  by  the  Grand 
Lodge,  shall  be  declared,  saluted,  and  congratulated, 
as  above  hinted;  but  if  not,  they  shall  be  chosen  by 
ballot,  in  the  same  way  as  the  Grand  Master:  As  the 
Wardens  of  private  Lodges  are  also  to  be  chosen  by 
ballot  in  each  Lodge,  if  the  members  thereof  do  not 
agree  to  their  Master's  nomination. 

XXXVI.  But  if  the  brother  whom  the  present  Grand 
Master  shall  nominate  for  his  successor,  or  whom  the 
majority  of  the  Grand  Lodge  shall  happen  to  choose 
by  ballot,  is,  by  sickness  or  other  necessary  occasion, 
absent  from  the  Grand  Feast,  he  cannot  be  proclaimed 
the  new  Grand  Master,  unless  the  old  Grand  Master, 
or  some  of  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  the  Grand 
Lodo-e  can  vouch,  upon  the  honor  of  a  brother,  that 
the  said  person,  so  nominated  or  chosen,  will  readily 
accept  of  the  said  office ;  in  which  case  the  old  Grand 
Master  shall  act  as  proxy,  and  shall  nominate  the  De 
puty  and  Wardens  in  his  name,  and  in  his  name  also 
receive  the  usual  honors,  homage  and  congratulations. 

XXXVII.  Then  the  Grand  Master  shall  allow  any 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  291 

brother,  Fellow  Craft,  or  Apprentice,  to  speak,  directing 
his  discourse  to  his  Worship ;  or  to  make  any  motion 
for  the  good  of  the  fraternity,  which  shall  be  either 
immediately  considered  and  finished,  or  else  referred 
to  the  consideration  of  the  Grand  Lodge  at  their  next 
communication,  stated  or  occasional.  When  that  is  over, 

XXXVIII.  The  Grand  Master  or  his  Deputy,  or 
some  brother  appointed  by  him,  shall  harangue  all  the 
brethren,  and  give  them  good  advice :  And  lastly,  after 
some  other  transactions,  that  cannot  be  written  in  any 
language,  the  brethren  may  go  away  or  stay  longer,  as 
they  please. 

XXXIX.  Every  annual  Grand  Lodge  has  an  inherent 
power  and  authority  to  make  new  regulations  or  to  alter 
these,  for  the  real  benefit  of  this  ancient  fraternity: 
Provided  always,  that  the  old  land-marks  be  carefully 
preserved,  and  that  such  alterations  and  new  regulations 
be  proposed  and  agreed  to  at  the  third  Quarterly  Com 
munication  preceding  the  annual  Grand  Feast ;  and  that 
they  be  offered  also  to  the  perusal  of  all  the  brethren 
before  dinner,  in  writing,  even  of  the  youngest  appren 
tice;  the  approbation  and  consent  of  the  majority  of  all 
the  brethren  present  being  absolutely  necessary  to  make 
the  same  binding  and  obligatory;  which  must  after 
dinner,  and  after  the  new  Grand  Master  is  installed, 
be  solemnly  desired ;  as  it  was  desired  and  obtained  for 
these  regulations,  when  proposed  by  the  Grand  Lodge, 
to  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  brethren,  on  St.  John 
Baptist's  day,  seventeen  hundred  and  twenty-one. 


292  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 


POSTSCRIPT. 

Here  follows  the  manner  of  constituting  a  new  Lodge., 
as  practiced  by  his  grace,  the  Duke  of  Wharton.  the 
present  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  according 
to  the  ancient  usages  of  Masons. 

A  new  Lodge,  for  avoiding  many  irregularities, 
should  be  solemnly  constituted  by  the  Grand  Master, 
with  his  Deputy  and  Wardens ;  or  in  the  Grand  Mas 
ter's  absence,  the  Deputy  shall  act  for  his  Worship, 
and  shall  choose  some  Master  of  a  Lodge  to  assist  him ; 
or  in  case  the  Deputy  is  absent,  the  Grand  Master  shall 
call  forth  some  Master  of  a  Lodge  to  act  as  Deputy  pro 
tempore. 

The  candidates,  or  the  new  Master  and  Wardens, 
being  yet  among  the  Fellow  Craft,  the  Grand  Master 
shall  ask  his  Deputy  if  he  has  examined  them,  and 
finds  the  candidate  Master  well  skilled  in  the  noble 
science  and  the  royal  art,  and  duly  instructed  in  our 
mysteries,  &c. 

And  the  Deputy  answering  in  the  affirmative,  he 
shall  (by  the  Grand  Master's  order)  take  the  candidate 
from  among  his  fellows,  and  present  him  to  the  Grand 
Master;  saying,  Right  Worshipful  Grand  Master,  the 
brethren  here  desire  to  be  formed  into  a  new  Lodge ; 
and  I  present  this  my  worthy  brother  to  be  their 
Master,  whom  I  know  to  be  of  good  morals  and  great 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  293 

skill,  true  and  trusty,  and  a  lover  of  the  whole  frater 
nity,  wheresoever  dispersed  over  the  face  of  the  earth. 
Then  the  Grand  Master,  placing  the  candidate  on 
his  left  hand,  having  asked  and  obtained  the  unanimous 
consent  of  all  the  brethren,  shall  say:  I  constitute  and 
form  these  good  brethren  into  a  new  Lodge,  and 
appoint  you  the  Master  of  it,  not  doubting  of  your 
capacity  and  care  to  preserve  the  cement  of  the  Lodge, 
&c.,  with  some  other  expressions  that  are  proper  and 
usual  on  that  occasion;  but  not  proper  to  be  written. 

Upon  this  the  Deputy  shall  rehearse  the  charges  of 
a  Master,  and  the  Grand  Master  shall  ask  the  can 
didate,  saying,  Do  you  submit  to  these  charges  as 
Masters  have  done  in  all  ages?  And  the  candidate 
signifying  his  cordial  submission  thereunto,  the  Grand 
Master  shall,  by  certain  significant  ceremonies  and 
ancient  usages,  instal  him,  and  present  him  with  the 
Constitutions,  the  Lodge  Book,  and  the  instruments  of 
his  office,  not  altogether,  but  one  after  another;  and 
after  each  of  them,  the  Grand  Master,  or  his  Deputy, 
shall  rehearse  the  short  and  pithy  charge  that  is  suit 
able  to  the  thing  presented. 

After  this,  the  members  of  this  new  Lodge,  bowing 
all  together  to  the  Grand  Master,  shall  return  his 
Worship  thanks,  and  immediately  do  their  homage  to 
their  new  Master,  and  signify  their  promise  of  subjection 
and  obedience  to  him  by  the  usual  congratulation. 

The  Deputy  and  the  Grand  "Wardens,  and  any  other 
brethren  present,  that  are  not  members  of  this  new 


294  ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS. 

Lodge,  shall  next  congratulate  the  new  Master ;  and  he 
shall  return  his  becoming  acknowledgments  to  the 
Grand  Master  first,  and  to  the  rest  in  their  order. 

Then  the  Grand  Master  desires  the  new  Master  to 
enter  immediately  upon  the  exercise  of  his  office,  in 
choosing  his  Wardens;  and  the  new  Master  calling 
forth  two  Fellow  Craft,  presents  them  to  the  Grand 
Master  for  his  approbation,  and  to  the  new  Lodge  for 
their  consent.  And  that  being  granted, 

The  Senior  or  Junior  Grand  Wardens,  or  some 
brother  for  him,  shall  rehearse  the  charges  of  Wardens; 
and  the  candidates  being  solemnly  asked  by  the  new 
Master,  shall  signify  their  submission  thereunto. 

Upon  which  the  new  Master,  presenting  them  with 
the  instruments  of  their  office,  shall,  in  due  form,  instal 
them  in  their  proper  places :  and  the  brethren  of  that 
new  Lodo-e  shall  signify  their  obedience  to  the  new 
Wardens  by  the  usual  congratulation. 

And  this  Lodge  being  thus  completely  constituted, 
shall  be  registered  in  the  Grand  Master's  Book,  and 
by  his  order  notified  to  the  other  Lodges. 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  295 


APPROBATION. 

WHEREAS,  by  the  confusions  occasioned  in  the  Saxon, 
Danish  and  Norman  wars,  the  records  of  Masons  have 
been  much  vitiated,  the  Free  Masons  of  England  twice 
thought  it  necessary  to  correct  their  Constitutions, 
Charges,  and  Regulations ;  first  in  the  reign  of  King 
Athelstan,  the  Saxon,  and  long  after  in  the  reign  of 
Kin^-  Edward  IV.  the  Norman :  And,  whereas,  the  old 

O 

Constitutions  in  England  have  been  much  interpolated, 
mangled  and  miserably  corrupted,  not  only  with  false 
spelling,  but  even  with  many  false  facts  and  gross 
errors  in  history  and  chronology,  through  length  of 
time,  and  the  ignorance  of  transcribers,  in  the  dark 
illiterate  ages,  before  the  revival  of  geometry  and  an 
cient  architecture,  to  the  great  offence  of  all  the  learned 
and  judicious  brethren,  whereby  also  the  ignorant  have 
been  deceived. 

And  our  late  Worthy  Grand  Master,  his  grace,  the 
Duke  of  Montagu,  having  ordered  the  author  to  peruse, 
correct  and  digest,  into  a  new  and  better  method,  the 
history,  charges  and  regulations,  of  the  ancient  frater 
nity  ;  he  has  accordingly  examined  several  copies  from 
Italy  and  Scotland,  and  sundry  parts  of  England  and 
from  thence,  (though  in  many  things  erroneous)  and 
from  several  other  ancient  records  of  Masons,  he  has 


296  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

drawn  forth  the  above  written  new  Constitutions,  with 
the  Charges  and  General  Regulations.  And  the  author 
having  submitted  the  whole  to  the  perusal  and  correc 
tions  of  the  late  and  present  Deputy  Grand  Masters,  and 
of  other  learned  brethren ;  and  also  of  the  Masters  and 
Wardens  of  particular  Lodges  at  their  Quarterly  Com 
munication  :  he  did  regularly  deliver  them  to  the  late 
Grand  Master  himself,  the  said  Duke  of  Montagu,  for 
his  examination,  correction,  and  approbation;  and  his 
grace,  by  the  advice  of  several  brethren,  ordered  the 
same  to  be  handsomely  printed  for  the  use  of  the 
Lodges,  though  they  were  not  quite  ready  for  the  press 
during  his  Mastership. 

Therefore,  we,  the  present  Grand  Master  of  the 
Right  Worshipful  and  most  ancient  Fraternity  of  Free 
and  Accepted  Masons,  the  Deputy  Grand  Master,  the 
Grand  Wardens,  the  Masters  and  Wardens  of  particular 
Lodges  (with  the  consent  of  the  brethren  and  fellows 
in  and  about  the  cities  of  London  and  Westminster) 
having  also  perused  this  performance,  do  join  our 
laudable  predecessors  in  our  solemn  approbation  thereof, 
as  what  we  believe  will  fully  answer  the  end  proposed ; 
all  the  valuable  things  of  the  old  records  being  retained, 
the  errors  in  history  and  chronology  corrected,  the  false 
facts  and  the  improper  words  omitted,  and  the  whole 
digested  in  a  new  and  better  method, 

And  we  ordain,  that  these  be  received  in  every 
particular  Lodge  under  our  cognizance,  as  the  only 
Constitutions  of  Free  and  Accepted  Masons  amongst 


ANCIENT    CONSTITUTIONS.  297 

us,  to  be  read  at  the  making  of  new  brethren,  or  when 
the  Master  shall  think  fit;  and  which  the  new  brethren 
should  peruse  before  they  are  made. 

PHILIP,  DUKE  OF  WHARTON, 

Grand  Master. 
J.  T.  DESAGULIERS,  LL.  D.  AND  F.  R.  S. 

Deputy  Grand  Master. 

JOSHUA  TIMSON,       )    JTr    -, 
-,,T  TT  >•    Wardens. 

WILLIAM  HAWKINS,  J 


298  ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS. 

FORM    FOB    A    DISPENSATION. 

To  ALL  THE  FRATERNITY: 

The  M.  W.  GRAND   LODGE  OF  FREE  AND   ACCEITED 
MASONS  of  the  State  of  -  sends  Greeting  : 

WHEREAS,  a  petition  has  been  presented  to  the  un 
dersigned,  --  ,  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  the  State  of  -  ,  by  Brothers  A.  B.,  C. 
D.,  E.  F.,  &c.,  all  Free  and  Accepted  Ancient  MASTER 
MASONS,  praying  to  be  congregated  into  a  regular 
Lodge  by  the  name  of  -  Lodge,  in  the  -  of 
-  ,  county  of  -  and  State  of  -  :  And 
whereas  said  petitioners  have  been  duly  recommended 
to  me  and  vouched  for  as  MASTER  MASONS  in  good 
standing  by  -  Lodge,  No.  —  ,  under  our  juris 
diction;  and  said  application  being  in  all  respects  in 
conformity  with  the  requirements  of  the  Constitution 
and  By-laws  of  the  Grand  Lodge  :  — 

THEREFORE    BE    IT    KNOWN,   That    I, 


Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Free  and  Ac 
cepted  Ancient  York  Masons  of  the  State  of  -  , 
reposing  full  confidence  in  the  recommendation  afore 
said,  and  in  the  integrity  and  attachment  of  the  aforesaid 
Petitioners  to  the  sublime  principles  of  MASONRY  as 
originally  taught  and  by  us  recognized  :  And  believing 
that  the  interests  of  masonry  will  be  promoted  by 
granting  the  prayer  of  said  petitioners,  have  granted, 
and  do  by  the  authority  in  me  vested,  hereby  grant 
this  my  LETTER  OF  DISPENSATION,  constituting  the  said 
Petitioners,  and  such  others  as  they  may  masonically 
associate  with  them  for  that  purpose,  a  regular  and 
constitutional  LODGE  OF  ANCIENT  YORK  MASONS,  by  the 
name  and  style  of  -  Lodge.  And  I  do  hereby 
appoint  Brother  --  to  be  the  first  Master; 


ANCIENT   CONSTITUTIONS.  299 

Brother to  be  first  Senior  Warden;  and 

Brother to  be  the  first  Junior  Warden ; 

hereby  granting  unto  them  full  power  and  authority  to 
assemble  together  on  all  proper  and  lawful  occasions, 

as  a  LEGAL  LODGE  in  the of  -       — ,  county 

and  State  aforesaid;  and  when  so  assembled,  to  confer 
the  several  degrees  of  Entered  Apprentice,  Fellow  Graft, 
and  Master  Mason,  upon  all  such  good  men  and  true 
as  may  make  application,  according  to  the  ancient 
custom,  and  not  otherwise :  and  do  all  such  other  acts 
as  a  legal  Lodge  under  Dispensation  may  of  right  do. 
And  I  hereby  enjoin  upon  said  Lodge,  in  all  its  acts, 
a  strict  conformity  to  the  requirements  of  the  Consti 
tution,  By-laws,  Rules  and  Regulations  of  the  Grand 
Lodge ;  requiring  of  them  to  be  present  by  their  Rep 
resentatives  or  proxy,  at  the  next  ensuing  Annual 
Communication  of  the  Grand  Lodge,  and  have  there 
this  Letter  of  Dispensation,  together  with  a  copy  of  the 
By-laws  of  their  Lodge,  and  record  of  their  proceedings, 
for  the  inspection  of  the  Grand  Lodge : — at  which  time 
the  powers  and  privileges  hereby  granted  shall  cease. 

IN  TESTIMONY  WHEREOF,  I  have  here- 

^^j^^  unto  subscribed  my  name,  and 

C  ^       ~^\  affixed  my  private  seal,  at 

SEAL.  ^ day()f >A<L. 

<—  58—  A.  D.  18—. 

,  Grand  Master. 


300  CHARGE   TO   A   GRAND   MASTER 


CHARGE    TO    A    GRAND    MASTER  AT    HIS    INSTALLATION. 

LET  me  congratulate  you,  Right  Worshipful  Sir,  on 
the  honor  of  being  raised,  from  the  level  of  equality, 
to  the  high  station  of  presiding  over  all  the  Lodges  of 

the  State  of ,  and  the  masonic  jurisdiction 

thereof.  We  look  up  with  confidence  to  a  brother 
whose  person  is  endeared  to  us  by  that  love  of  the 
fraternity  which  is  sanctified  by  the  experience  of  many 
revolving  years.  May  the  Father  of  light,  of  life  and 
of  love,  invest  you  with  his  choicest  gifts — may  heavenly 
wisdom  illumine  your  mind — may  heavenly  power  give 
strength  to  your  exertions — may  heavenly  goodness  fill 
and  enlarge  your  breast — may  your  feet  rest  upon 
the  rock  of  justice — from  your  hands  may  streams  of 
beneficence  continually  flow:  And  round  your  head 
may  there  bend  a  circle  made  splendid  by  the  rays  of 
honor :  And  late,  very  late  in  life,  may  you  be  trans 
mitted  from  the  fading  honor  of  an  earthly  Lodge,  to 
the  mansions  prepared  for  the  faithful  in  another  and 
a  better  world. 

Let  me  congratulate  you,  Right  Worshipful  Grand 
Officers  and  other  brethren,  on  the  election  of  our 
Grand  Master;  as  it  is  his,  agreeably  to  the  rules  of 
our  institution,  to  command,  so  it  is  ours  with  readiness 
to  obey.  Look  to  the  Sun  and  behold  the  planetary 
worlds  revolving  round  him  in  continual  order  with  the 
happiest  effect,  and  learn  to  imitate  their  regularity, 


CHARGE  TO  A  GRAND  MASTER.        301 

m  hope  of  obtaining  from  the  chair  of  Solomon  the  light 
of  wisdom  and  the  warmth  of  love.  Or  look  higher 
still  and  behold  the  angels,  those  sister  spirits  Cherubim 
and  Seraphim,  who  are  exhibited  to  us  in  the  oracles 
of  revelation,  as  flaming  spirits,  burning  with  the  heat 
in  their  heavenly  Grand  Master's  service,  and  with 
love  to  his  person  and  to  each  other ;  they  are  styled 
ministering  spirits,  from  the  part  they  take  in  exercising 
their  kind  offices  to  men,  in  relieving  their  wants,  se 
curing  them  from  danger,  and  making  their  lives  more 
comfortable. 

Myriads  of  spiritual  beings  walk  the  earth 
Unseen,  or  when  we  sleep,  or  when  we  wake. 

Of  them  let  us  learn  to  rise  in  our  affection  to  the  great 
Father  of  all,  aud  thence  descending,  expand  the  heart 
from  brother  to  brother,  and  to  all  mankind ;  of  them 
let  us  learn  never  to  be  weary  in  the  ways  of  well-doing, 
but  to  "mourn  with  them  that  mourn  and  to  rejoice 
with  them  that  do  rejoice,"  until,  having  finished  our 
work  on  earth,  we  shall  be  admitted  to  the  temple 
above,  not  made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens. 


CONSTITUTION 

OF   THE 

GENERAL    GRAND   CHAPTER 

OF 

ROYAL    ARCH    MASONS 

FOR  THE   UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

AS  AMENDED  AT   THE   TRIENNIAL  MEETING,  BEGUN   AND   HELD  IN   THE 

CITY   OF   BOSTON.  ON   TUESDAY,  SEPTEMBER   10,  1850, 

AND   THE   YEAR   OF   THE   ORDER,  2384. 


ARTICLE  I. 
Of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

SECTION  1.  There  shall  be  a  General  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  for  the  United  States  of  America,  which  shall  be 
holden  triennially,  on  the  second  Tuesday  in  September,  at 
such  place  as  shall  from  time  to  time  be  designated  for  that 
purpose,  and  at  which  time  the  General  Grand  Officers  shall  be 
elected  by  ballot,  and  installed. 

SEC.  2.  The  General  Grand  Chapter  shall  have  and  maintain 
jurisdiction  over  all  State  Grand  Chapters,  and  over  Chapters 
in  those  States,  Districts,  Republics,  or  Territories,  which 
recognize  this  jurisdiction,  and  where  there  is  no  Grand  Chapter 
regularly  established,  agreeable  to  the  provisions  of  this  Consti 
tution  ;  and  shall  have  authority  to  suspend  the  proceedings  of 
such  State  Grand  Chapters,  and  such  chapters  in  States  where 
there  is  no  Grand  Chapter,  as  may  knowingly  violate  any  of 
the  provisions  of  this  Constitution  ;  to  settle  all  difficulties 
which  may  arise  ;  and  to  give  such  advice  and  instruction  as 
may  seem  most  conducive  to  their  peace,  and  to  the  advance 
ment  of  the  great  cause  of  benevolence  and  virtue. 

SEC.  3.  The  officers  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  shall 
consist  of  a  General  Grand  High  Priest,  Deputy  General  Grand 
High  Priest,  General  Grand  King,  General  Grand  Scribe, 
General  Grand  Secretary,  General  Grand  Treasurer,  General 
Grand  Chaplain,  and  General  Grand  Marshal ;  these,  together 


\ 


CONSTITUTION.  303 

with  the  Past  General  Grand  High  Priest,  Past  Deputy  General 
Grand  High  Priest,  Past  General  Grand  King,  Past  General 
Grand  Scribe,  the  first  four  officers  of  every  State  Grand  Chap 
ter  under  this  jurisdiction,  or  the  proxies  of  the  first  four 
General  Grand  Officers,  and  of  the  first  four  officers  of  each 
State  Grand  Chapter  aforesaid,  shall  compose  the  General  Grand 
Chapter:  Pro vided,  That  any  Chapter  under  this  jurisdiction, 
in  any  State,  District,  or  Territory,  where  there  is  no  Grand 
Chapter  duly  established,  shall  have  a  right  to  appear  by  its 
first  three  officers,  or  any  one  or  two  of  them  :  which  officers 
shall  collectively  have  one  vote  :  And  provided  also,  Tbat  all 
Past  Grand  High  Priests  of  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  have  a 
right  to  seats  in  this  General  Grand  Chapter  ;  hat  said  Past 
Grand  High  Priests  shall  have  no  vote,  but  only  a  consulting 
voice  therein. 

SEC.  4.  On  all  questions  to  be  decided  by  the  General  Grand 
Chapter,  each  State  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  entitled  to  four 
votes  by  its  representative  or  representatives. 

The  General  Grand  Officers,  when  present,  shall  each  have 
one  vote.  And  no  General  Grand  Officer  shall  be  allowed  to 
take  a  seat  in  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  as  the  representative 
of  any  State  Grand  Chapter  ;  nor  shall  any  member  of  the 
General  Grand  Chapter  be  permitted  to  vote  as  proxy,  while 
the  person  giving  the  proxy  is  present  ;  nor  shall  any  person 
be  admitted  into  the  General  Grand  Chapter  as  the  representa 
tive  of  more  than  one  State  Grand  Chapter  at  one  and  the  same 
time. 

SKC.  5.  The  General  Grand  High  Priest  and  Deputy  General 
Grand  High  Priest,  shall  have  authority  to  call  a  meeting  of 
the  General  Grand  Chapter,  whenever  they  may  consider  it 
expedient  or  necessary  ;  and  it  shall  be  their  duty  so  to  do, 
when  properly  requested  by  a  majority  of  the  State  Grand 
Chapters,  of  which  four  months'  notice  shall  be  given  of  the 
time  and  place  of  meeting. 

SEC.  6.  The  General  Grand  High  Priest,  Deputy  General 
Grand  High  Priest,  General  Grand  King,  and  General  Grand 
Scribe,  shall  severally  have  power  and  authority  to  grant  dis 
pensations,  for  a  limited  length  of  time,  for  new  Royal  Arch 
Chapters  and  Lodges  of  the  appendant  Orders,  in  any  Slate., 
Country,  Republic,  or  Territory,  in  which  there  is  not  a  Grand 
Chapter  regularly  established,  when,  in  their  opinion,  the  good 
of  the  craft  may  require  the  same  ;  which  term  of  time  shall 
in  no  case  extend  beyond  the  time  of  the  next  triennial 
meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  ;  but  no  new  Chapter 


304  CONSTITUTION. 

shall  be  established  in  any  State,  Country,  Republic  or  Terri 
tory,  where  there  is  a  Chapter,  within  a  reasonable  distance, 
under  the  jurisdiction  of  this  General  Grand  Chapter,  without 
the  approbation  of  the  Chapter  nearest  to  the  place  where  said 
new  Chapter  is  proposed  to  be  located  ;  and  in  all  cases  of  such 
dispensation,  the  officer  who  may  grant  the  same,  shall  imme 
diately  notify  the  General  Grand  Secretary  thereof,  and  make 
report  of  the  same  at  the  next  triennial  meeting  of  this  General 
Grand  Chapter,  when  the  General  Grand  Chapter  may  grant 
the  said  Chapter  a  charter. 

SEC.  7.  The  fees  for  instituting  a  new  Royal  Arch  Chapter 
with  subordinate  degrees,  shall  be  ninety  dollars,  and  no  more  ; 
and  no  credit  shall  be  given  for  dispensations  or  charters,  or 
for  conferring  the  degrees,  in  any  Chapter  or  Lodge  under  this 
jurisdiction.  And  every  Chapter  holderi  by  Dispensation  or 
charter  under  this  jurisdiction,  shall  pay  into  the  treasury  of 
the  General  Grand  Chapter,  the  sum  of  two  dollars  for  each 
companion  therein  exalted,  until  such  time  as  a  Grand  Chapter 
shall  be'  regularly  established  in  the  State,  Country,  Republic, 
or  Territory  in  which  such  subordinate  Chapter  is  located. 
The  Secretary  shall  be  paid,  by  the  petitioners,  ten  dollars  for 
his  services  in  furnishing  the  charter. 

The  fees  in  the  several  States  for  conferring  the  several 
degrees  of  Mark  Master,  Past  Master,  Most  Excellent  Master, 
and  Royal  Arch  Mason,  shall  not  be  less  than  twenty  dollars  ; 
and  the  fees  for  the  advancement  of  a  candidate  to  the  degree 
of  Mark  Master  in  all  Chapters  and  Lodges  shall  not  be  less 
than  four  dollars. 

SEC.  8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  ihe  General  Grand  High. 
Priest,  Deputy  General  Grand  High  Priest,  General  Grand  King, 
and  General  Grand  Scribe,  to  improve  and  perfect  themselves 
in  the  sublime  arts  and  work  of  Mark  Masters,  Past  Masters, 
Most  Excellent  Masters,  and  Royal  Aj*ch  Masons  ;  to  make 
themselves  Masters  of  the  several  Masonic  lectures,  and  ancient 
charges  ;  to  consult  with  each  other,  and  with  the  Grand,  and 
Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes  of  the  several 
State  Grand  Chapters  aforesaid,  for  the  purpose  of  adopting 
measures  suitable  and  proper  for  diffusing  a  knowledge  of  the 
said  lectures  and  charges.  And  the  better  to  accomplish  thid 
laudable  object,  the  aforesaid  officers  are  hereby  severally 
authorized  and  empowered  to  visit  and  preside  in  any  Chapter 
of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  and  Lodge  of  Most  Excellent  Master, 
Mark,  and  Past  Master  Masons,  throughout  the  said  States,  and 
to  give  such  instructions  and  directions  as  the  good  of  the 


CONSTITUTION.  305 

fraternity  may  require  ;  always  adhering  to  the  ancient  land 
marks  of  the  order. 

SEC.  9.  No  Royal  Arch  Mason,  within  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  General  Grand  Chapter,  shall  be  permitted  to  confer  any 
degree  in  Masonry,  not  recognized  as  a  constitutional  degree  ; 
nor  to  establish  any  society  of  Masons  not  recognized  as  a  con 
stitutional  body  ;  and  the  first  four  officers  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter,  or  any  three  of  them,  shall  in  all  cases  have  authority 
to  decide  all  constitutional  questions  under  this  section  ;  nor 
shall  any  Royal  Arch  Mason  be  permitted  to  give  lectures,  or 
instruction  on  the  several  degrees  of  Masonry,  conferred  by  or 
under  the  authority  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  except  he 
or  they  shall  have  been  duly  authorized  by  two  of  the  State 
Grand  Officers  ;  which  authority  shall  be  given  under  their 
hands  and  the  seal  of  the  State  Grand  Chapter,  attested  by 
the^ir  Grand  Secretary. 

SEC.  10.  In  all  cases  of  the  absence  of  an  officer  from  any 
body  of  Masons,  instituted  or  holden  by  virtue  of  this  Consti 
tution,  the  officer  next  in  rank  shall  occupy  his  place  :  unless 
through  courtesy,  or  for  other  reasons  he  should  decline  in 
favor  of  another  companion  or  brother  ;  and  in  case  of  the 
absence  of  all  the  officers  from  any  regular  meeting  of  either  of 
the  bodies  aforesaid,  the  members  present  shall  designate  some 
suitable  companions  or  brethren  to  fill  the  several  stations. 

SEC.  11.  In  every  Chapter  and  Lodge  under  this  jurisdiction, 
all  questions,  (except  the  admission  of  members  or  candidates, 
which  shall  require  an  unanimous  ballot,)  shall  be  considered 
and  determined  in  such  way  and  manner,  as  such  Chapters  and 
Lodges  may,  all  circumstances  considered,  find  most  conducive 
to  their  harmony  and  permanent  prosperity  ;  Provided,  They 
do  not  in  any  case  interfere  with,  or  infringe  on  the  regulations 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

SEC.  12.  The  General  Grand  Secretary  of  the  General  Grand 
Chapter  shall  have  and  keep  a  seal,  which  shall  be  affixed  to  all 
his  communications. 

SEC.  13.  Should  any  casualty,  at  any  time  hereafter,  prevent 
the  triennial  election  of  officers,  the  several  officers  shall  retain 
their  respective  offices  until  successors  are  duly  elected  and 
qualified. 

ARTICLE  II. 
Of  State  Grand  Chapters. 

SECTION  1.  The  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  severally  consist 
of  a  Grand  High  Priest,  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  Grand 


306  CONSTITUTION. 

King,  Grand  Scribe,  Grand  Secretary,  Grand  Treasurer,  Grand 
Chaplain,  Grand  Marshal  ;  and  likewise,  of  the  High  Priests, 
Kings,  and  Scribes,  for  the  time  being,  of  the  several  Chapters 
over  which  they  shall  respectively  preside,  and  of  the  Past 
Grand  and  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes,  of 
the  said  Grand  Chapters  ;  and  the  said  Grand  Chapters  shall 
have  full  power  and  authority,  to  elect  such  other  officers,  and 
to  establish  such  rules  and  regulations,  as  they  shall,  from  time 
to  time,  consider  necessary  and  proper  :  Provided,  such  regu 
lations  do  not  in  any  way  interfere  with  the  provisions  of 
this  Constitution. 

SEC.  2.  The  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  severally  be  holden 
once  in  every  year,  and  oftener  if  they  may  consider  it  expe 
dient  or  necessary,  at  such  time  and  place  as  they  shall 
respectively  direct  ;  and,  at  their  annual  meetings,  the  consti 
tutional  officers  shall  be  elected,  or  appointed  in  such  manner 
as  shall  be  provided  for  by  their  rules  and  regulations,  and 
installed  into  their  respective  offices  ;  and  the  Grand,  or  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priests,  respectively,  for  the  time  being,  may  call 
special  meetings,  to  be  holden  at  such  times  and  places  as  they 
may  think  proper. 

SEC.  3.  The  several  State  Grand  Chapters  shall  have  the  sole 
government  and  superintendence  of  the  several  Royal  Arch 
Chapters,  and  Lodges  of  most  Excellent,  Past,  and  Mark 
Master  Masons,  within  their  respective  jurisdictions,  to  assign 
their  limits,  and  to  settle  the  controversies  that  may  happen 
between  them  ;  and  shall  have  power,  under  their  respective 
seals  and  the  signs  manual  of  their  respective  Grand,  or  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priests,  Kings,  and  Scribes,  attested  by  their 
respective  Grand  Secretaries,  to  constitute  new  Chapters  of 
Royal  Arch  Masons,  within  their  respective  jurisdictions  ;  but 
their  jurisdictions  shall  in  no  case  be  construed  to  extend 
beyond  the  limits  of  the  State,  except  by  consent  of  the  Gen 
eral  Grand  Chapter. 

SEC.  4.  The  Grand,  and  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests,  seve 
rally,  shall  have  the  power  and  authority,  whenever  they  shall 
deem  it  expedient,  during  the  recess  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of 
which  they  are  officers,  to  grant  letters  of  dispensation,  under 
their  respective  hands  and  private  seals,  to  a  competent  number 
of  petitioners,  possessing  the  qualifications  required  by  the  7th 
section  of  the  second  article  of  this  Constitution,  empowering 
them  to  open  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  for  a  certain 
specified  term  of  time  :  Provided,  That  the  said  term  of  time 
shall  not  extend  beyond  the  next  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter 


CONSTITUTION.  307 

of  the  State,  in  which  such  dispensation  shall  be  granted  :  And 
provided  further,  That  the  same  fees,  as  are  required  by  this 
Constitution  for  Charters,  shall  be  first  deposited  in  the  hands 
of  the  Grand  Treasurer.  And  in  all  cases  of  such  dispensation, 
the  officer  who  may  grant  the  same  shall  make  report  thereof 
at  the  next  stated  meeting  of  the  Grand  Chapter  of  his  jurisdic 
tion,  when  the  said  Grand  Chapter  may  either  continue  or 
recall  the  said  dispensation,  or  may  grant  the  petitioners  a 
charter  of  constitution.  And  in  case  such  charter  shall  be 
granted,  the  fees  first  deposited  shall  be  credited  in  payment 
for  the  same  ;  but  if  a  charter  should  not  be  granted,  nor  the 
dispensation  continued,  the  said  fees  shall  be  refunded  to  the 
petitioners,  excepting  only  such  part  thereof,  as  shall  have  been 
actually  expended  by  means  of  their  application. 

SEC.  5.  No  dispensation  or  charter  shall  be  granted  for  in 
stituting  Lodges  of  Most  Excellent,  Past,  or  Mark  Masters, 
independent  of  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons. 

SEC.  6.  The  Grand  Chapters  shall  have  power,  severally,  to 
require  from  the  several  Chapters  under  their  respective  juris 
dictions,  such  reasonable  proportion  of  sums  received  by  them 
for  the  exaltation  or  advancement  of  candidates,  and  such 
certain  annual  sums  from  their  respective  members,  as  by  their 
ordinances  or  regulations  shall  be  appointed  ;  all  which  said 
sums  or  dues  shall  be  made  good  and  paid  annually  by  the  said 
Chapters,  respectively,  into  the  treasury  of  the  Grand  Chap 
ter  under  which  they  hold  their  authority,  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  the  respective  annual  meetings  of  the  several  Grand 
Chapters. 

SEC.  7.  No  dispensation  or  charter  for  the  institution  of  a 
new  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  shall  be  granted,  except 
upon  the  petition  of  nine  regular  Royal  Arch  Masons  ;  which 
petition  shall  be  accompanied  with  a  certificate  from  the  Chap 
ter  nearest  to  the  place  where  the  new  Chapter  is  intended  to 
be  opened,  vouching  for  the  moral  character  and  Masonic 
abilities  of  the  petitioners,  and  recommending  that  a  dispensa 
tion  or  charter  be  granted  them. 

SEC.  8.  The  Grand  Secretaries  of  the  State  Grand  Chapters 
shall,  severally,  make  an  annual  communication  to  each  other, 
and  also  to  the  Secretary  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  con 
taining  a  list  of  Grand  Officers,  and  all  such  other  matters  as 
may  be  deemed  necessary  for  the  mutual  benefit  and  information 
of  the  said  Grand  Chapters.  And  the  said  Grand  Secretaries 
shall  also  regularly  transmit  to  the  Secretary  of  the  General 
Granu  Chapter,  a  copy  of  all  their  by-laws  and  regulations  • 


308  CONSTITUTION. 

and  also  a  copy  of  their  proceedings,  annually,  to  each  of  the 
officers  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  ;  and  the  State  Grand 
Chapters  shall  see  that  their  Secretaries  faithfully  and  punctu 
ally  perform  this  duty. 

SEC.  9.  Whenever  there  shall  have  been  three  Chapters 
regularly  instituted  and  consecrated  in  any  State,  Country, 
Republic,  or  Territory,  by  virtue  of  authority  derived  from  this 
Constitution,  a  Grand  Chapter  shall  be  established,  so  soon  as 
convenience  and  propriety  may  dictate  :  Provided,  that  the 
approbation  of  one  of  the  first  four  officers  of  the  General 
Grand  Chapter  be  first  obtained.  And  said  Grand  Chapters,  by 
their  regular  officers,  shall  assemble  in  some  suitable  place, 
elect  their  officers,  and  make  such  rules  and  regulations  for 
their  government  as  may  be  necessary,  not  inconsistent  with 
the  regulations  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter. 

SEC.  10.  No  person  shall  be  permitted  to  take  a  seat  in  any 
State  Grand  Chapter,  as  the  representative  of  more  than  one 
Chapter  or  Lodge  ;  nor  unless  he  is  a  member  of  a  subordinate 
Chapter  under  that  jurisdiction. 

ARTICLE  III. 

Of  the  Subordinate  Chapters  and  Lodges. 

SECTION.  1.  Every  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons  through 
out  this  jurisdiction  shall  have  a  dispensation,  as  is  provided  in 
section  6th  of  the  first  article,  or  section  4th  of  the  second 
article  of  this  Constitution,  or  a  charter  from  the  General 
Grand  Chapter,  or  from  some  Grand  Chapter  under  the  juris 
diction  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  ;  and  no  Chapter  shall 
be  deemed  legal  without  such  dispensation  or  charter  ;  and 
Masonic  communication,  both  public  and  private,  is  hereby 
interdicted  and  forbidden,  between  any  Chapter  or  Lodge,  or 
any  member  of  either  of  them,  and  any  Chapter,  Lodge,  or 
assembly,  that  may  be  so  illegally  formed,  opened,  or  holden, 
without  such  charter,  or  any  or  either  of  their  members,  or 
any  person  exalted  or  advanced  in  such  illegal  Chapter  or 
Lodge.  But  nothing  in  this  section  shall  be  construed  to  affect 
any  Chapter  or  Lodge  which  was  established  before  the  adop 
tion  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution,  at  Hartford,  on 
the  27th  day  of  January,  A.  D.  1798. 

SEC.  2.  Whenever  a  charter  is  issued  for  instituting  a  Chap 
ter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  with  a  power  in  said  charter  to 
open  and  hold  Lodges  of  Most  Excellent,  Past,  and  Mark  Mas 
ter  Masons,  the  High  Priest,  King,  and  Scribe,  for  the  time 


CONSTITUTION.  309 

being,  of  such  Chapter,  shall  be  the  Master  and  Wardens  in 
said  Lodges,  according  to  seniority. 

SEC.  3.  It  is  incumbent  on  the  High  Priest  of  every  Chapter, 
as  appertaining  to  his  office,  duty  and  dignity,  to  see  that  the 
by-laws  of  his  Chapter,  as  well  as  the  Constitution  of  the 
General  Grand  Chapter,  and  the  regulations  of  the  Grand 
Chapter,  be  duly  observed  ;  that  all  his  subordinate  officers 
perform  the  duties  of  their  respective  stations  faithfully,  and 
are  examples  of  diligence  and  industry  to  their  companions  ; 
that  true  and  exact  records  be  kept  of  all  the  proceedings  of  the 
Chapter,  by  the  Secretary  ;  that  the  Treasurer  keep  and  render 
exact  and  just  accounts  of  all  the  moneys  belonging  to  the 
Chapter  ;  that  regular  returns  be  made  by  the  Secretary  annu 
ally,  to  the  Grand  Chapter,  of  all  admissions  of  candidates  or 
members  ;  and  that  the  annual  dues  to  the  Grand  Chapter  be 
regularly  and  punctually  paid.  The  charter  of  his  Chapter  is 
committed  to  his  special  care  and  charge.  He  has  the  right 
and  authority  of  calling  his  Chapter  at  pleasure,  upon  any 
emergency  or  occurrence  which  in  his  judgment  may  require 
their  meeting,  and  he  is  to  fill  the  chair  when  present.  It  is 
likewise  his  duty,  together  with  his  King  and  Scribe,  to  attend 
the  regular  and  special  meetings  of  the  Grand  Chapter,  either 
in  person  or  by  proxy. 

SEC.  4.  All  Lodges  of  Mark  Master  Masons  are  bound  to 
observe  the  preceding  article,  so  far  as  it  can  be  applied  to  the 
government  of  a  Lodge. 

SEC.  5.  No  person  having  been  a  member  of  a  Chapter  or 
Lodge,  shall  be  admitted  a  member  of  any  other  Chapter  or 
Lodge,  under  this  jurisdiction,  until  he  shall  have  produced  a 
certificate  from  the  Chapter  or  Lodge  to  which  he  last  belonged, 
that  he  was  in  regular  standing,  and  as  such,  at  his  own  request, 
is  dismissed  and  recommended. 

SEC.  6.  That  any  worthy  companion,  from  without  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  United  States,  who  may  present  himself  as 
a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  produce  satisfactory  evidence  of  his 
having  received  that  degree,  that  each  and  every  Chapter  under 
the  jurisdiction  of  this  General  Grand  Chapter  have  liberty, 
and  they  are  hereby  authorized,  to  confer  the  degrees  of  Mark 
Master,  Past  Master,  and  Most  Excellent  Master,  on  such 
companions,  (who  have  not  heretofore  received  them,)  to  the 
end  that  they  may  be  healed  and  thereby  become  regular  Royal 
Arch  Masons,  free  of  charge. 

SEC.  7.  That  the  Subordinate  Chapter  so  conferring  said 
degrees,  shall  be  exempt  from  paying  any  dues  therefor. 


310  CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  IV. 

Of  Constituting  New  Chapters. 

SECTION  1.  When  a  charter  of  constitution  is  granted  by 
the  General  Grand  Chapter,  or  by  any  State  Grand  Chapter,  for 
constituting  a  new  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  the  Grand 
Officers,  respectively,  shall  appoint  a  day  and  hour  for  consti 
tuting  the  same,  and  installing  the  new  officers.  On  the  day 
and  hour  appointed,  the  Grand  or  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest, 
or  the  presiding  officer  for  the  time  being,  with  his  officers, 
meet  in  a  convenient  room,  near  to  the  place  where  the  new 
Chapter  is  to  be  constituted.  The  officers  of  the  new  Chapter 
are  to  be  examined  by  the  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest,  or  some 
companion  appointed  for  that  purpose;  after  they  are  approved, 
they  are  to  return  to  the  Hall,  and  prepare  for  the  reception  of 
the  Grand  Chapter.  When  notice  is  given  by  the  Grand  Mar 
shal  that  they  are  prepared,  the  Grand  Chapter  walks  in  pro 
cession  to  the  Hall,  when  the  officers  appointed  for  the  new 
Chapter  resign  their  seats  to  the  Grand  Officers,  and  take  their 
several  stations  on  the  left ;  the  necessary  cautions  are  then 
given  from  the  chair,  and  the  ceremony  commences  by  per 
forming  an  anthem  or  ode  adapted  to  the  occasion.  The 
officers  and  members  of  the  new  Chapter  then  form  in  front 
of  the  Grand  High  Priest. 

The  Deputy  Grand  High  Priest  then  informs  the  Grand 
High  Priest,  that  "  A  number  of  companions,  duly  instructed 
in  the  sublime  mysteries,  being  desirous  of  promoting  the 
honor  of  the  art,  have  applied  to  the  Grand  Chapter  for  a 
charter  to  constitute  a  new  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons, 
which  having  obtained,  they  are  now  assembled  for  the  purpose 
of  being  constituted,  and  having  their  officers  installed  in  due 
and  ancient  form." 

The  Grand  High  Priest  then  directs  the  Grand  Secretary  to 
read  the  Charter,  which  being  done,  he  asks  the  members  of  the 
new  Chapter  if  they  still  approve  of  the  officers  elect ;  this 
being  signified  accordingly,  the  Grand  High  Priest  rises  and 
says  : 

"  By  virtue  of  the  high  powers  in  me  vested,  I  do  form  you, 
my  worthy  companions,  into  a  regular  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch 
Masons  ;  from  henceforth  you  are  authorized  and  empowered 
to  open  and  hold  a  Lodge  of  Mark  Masters,  Past  Masters,  and 
Most  Excellent  Masters,  and  a  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons; 
and  to  do  and  perform  all  such  things  as  thereunto  may  apper 
tain  ;  conforming  in  all  your  doings  to  the  General  Grand 


CONSTITUTION.  311 

Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and  the  general  regulations  of  the 
State  Grand  Chapter  ;  and  may  the  God  of  your  Fathers  be 
With  you,  guide  and  direct  you  in  all  your  doings." 

Grand  Honors. 

The  furniture,  jewels,  implements,  utensils,  &c.,  belonging 
to  the  Chapter,  (  having  previously  been  placed  in  due  form, 
covered,  in  the  centre, )  are  then  uncovered,  and  the  new 
Chapter  is  dedicated,  in  ancient  manner  and  form,  as  is  well 
described  in  the  Most  Excellent  Master's  degree.  The  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest  then  presents  the  first  officer  of  the  new- 
Chapter  to  the  Grand  High  Priest,  saying  : 

"Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest: 

"  I  present  you  my  worthy  companion, ,  to   be 

installed  High  Priest  of  this  new  Chapter  ; "I  find  him  to  be 
skillful  in  the  Royal  Art,  and  attentive  to  the  moral  precepts  of 
our  forefathers,  and  therefore  have  no  doubt  but  he  will  dis 
charge  the  duties  of  his  office  with  fidelity." 

"  Excellent  Companion  : 

"I  feel  much  satisfaction  in  performing  my  duty  on  the  present 
occasion,  by  installing  you  into  the  Office  of  High  Priest  of 
this  new  Chapter.  It  is  an  office  highly  honorable  to  all  those 
who  diligently  perform  the  important  duties  annexed  to  it  ; 
your  reputed  Masonic  knowledge,  however,  precludes  the 
necessity  of  a  particular  enumeration  of  those  duties  ;  I  shall 
therefore  only  observe,  that  by  a  frequent  recurrence  to  the 
Constitution,  and  general  regulations,  and  a  constant  practice 
of  the  several  sublime  lectures  and  charges,  you  will  be  best 
able  to  fulfill  them  ;  and  I  am  confident,  that  the  companions 
who  are  chosen  to  preside  with  you,  will  give  strength  to  your 
endeavors,  and  support  your  exertions.  I  shall  now  propose 
certain  questions  to  you  relative  to  the  duties  of  your  office, 
and  to  which  I  must  request  your  unequivocal  answer. 

"1.  Do  you  solemnly  promise  that  you  will  redouble  your 
endeavors  to  correct  the  vices,  purify  the  morals,  and  promote 
the  happiness  of  those  of  your  brethren  who  have  attained 
this  sublime  degree  ? 

"2.  That  you  will  never  suffer  your  Chapter  to  be  opened 
unless  there  be  present  nine  regular  Royal  Arch  Masons  ? 

"  3.  That  you  will  never  suffer  either  more  or  less  than 
three  brethren  to  be  exalted  n  your  Chapter  at  one  and  the 
same  time? 


312  CONSTITUTION. 

"  4.  That  you  will  not  exalt  any  one  to  this  degree,  who 
has  not  shown  a  charitable  and  humane  disposition  ;  or  who 
has  not  made  a  considerable  proficiency  in  the  foregoing 
degrees  ? 

"  5.  That  you  will  promote  the  general  good  of  our  order, 
and  on  all  proper  occasions  be  ready  to  give  and  receive  in 
structions,  and  particularly  from  the  General  and  State  Grand 
Officers  ? 

"  6.  That  to  the  utmost  of  your  power,  you  will  preserve  the 
solemnities  of  our  ceremonies,  and  behave,  in  open  Chapter, 
with  the  most  profound  respect  and  reverence,  as  an  example 
to  your  companions  ? 

"  7.  That  you  will  not  acknowledge,  or  have  intercourse 
with,  any  Chapter  that  does  not  work  under  a  constitutional 
charter  or  dispensation  ? 

"  8.  That  you  will  not  admit  any  visitor  into  your  Chapter 
who  has  not  been  exalted  in  a  Chapter  legally  constituted,  with 
out  his  being  first  formally  healed  ? 

"9.  That  you  will  observe  and  support  such  by-laws  as 
may  be  made  by  your  Chapter,  in  conformity  to  the  General 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and  the  general  regulations 
of  the  Grand  Chapter  ? 

"  10.  That  you  will  pay  due  respect  and  obedience  to  the 
instructions  of  the  General  and  State  Grand  Officers,  particu 
larly  relating  to  the  several  Lectures  and  Charges,  and  will 
resign  the  Chair  to  them,  severally,  when  they  may  visit  your 
Chapter  ? 

"  11.  That  you  will  support  and  observe  the  General  Grand 
Royal  Arch  Constitution,  and  the  General  Regulations  of  the 
Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  under  whose  authority  you  act  ? 

"  Do  you  submit  to  all  these  things,  and  do  you  promise  to 
observe  and  practice  them  faithfully  ?  " 

These  questions  being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  the  com 
panions  all  kneel  in  due  form,  and  the  Grand  High  Priest,  or 
Grand  Chaplain,  repeats  the  following,  or  some  other  suitable 
prayer  : 

"  Most  Holy  and  Glorious  Lord  God,  the  Great  High  Priest 
of  Heaven  and  Earth, 

"  We  approach  Thee  with  reverence,  and  implore  thy  bless 
ing  on  the  companion  appointed  to  preside  over  this  new  as 
sembly,  and  now  prostrate  before  Thee  ;  fill  his  heart  with  thy 
fear,  that  his  tongue  and  actions  may  pronounce  thy  glory. 
Make  him  steadfast  in  thy  service;  giant  him  firmness  of  mind; 


CONSTITUTION.         .  313 

animate  his  heart,  and  strengthen  his  endeavors  ;  may  he 
teach  thy  Judgments  and  thy  law  ;  and  may  the  incense  he 
shall  put  before  thee,  upon  thine  altar,  prove  an  accceptable 
sacrifice  unto  thee.  Bless  him,  0  Lord,  and  bless  the  work  of 
his  hands.  Accept  us  in  mercy;  hear  Thou  from  heaven,  thy 
dwelling  place,  and  forgive  our  transgressions. 

"  Glory  be  to  God  the  Father  ;  as  it  was  in  the  beginning," 
&c.  Response,  "  So  mote  it  be." 

All  the  companions,  except  High  Priests  and  Past  High 
Priests,  are  then  desired  to  withdraw,  while  the  new  High 
Priest  is  solemnly  bound  to  the  performance  of  his  duties  ; 
and  after  the  performance  of  other  necessary  cermonies,  not 
proper  to  be  written,  they  are  permitted  to  return. 

The  Grand  High  Priest  then  addresses  the  new  High  Priest 
as  follows  : 

"  Excellent  Companion  : 

"  In  consequence  of  your  cheerful  acquiescence  with  the 
charges  and  regulations  just  recited,  I  now  declare  you  duly 
installed  and  aiinointed  High  Priest  of  this  new  Chapter  ;  not 
doubting  your  determination  to  support  the  reputation  and 
honor  of  our  sublime  order.  I  now  cheerfully  deliver  unto 
you  the  charter  under  which  you  are  to  work  ;  and  I  doubt 
not  you  will  govern  with  such  good  order  and  regularity,  as 
will  convince  your  companions  that  their  partiality  has  not 
been  improperly  placed." 

The  Grand  High  Priest  then  clothes  and  invests  the  new 
High  Priest  with  the  various  implements  and  insignia  of  the 
order,  with  suitable  charges  to  each  of  them. 

The  Grand  High  Priest  then  instals  the  several  subordinate 
officers  in  turn  ;  and  points  out  to  them  the  duties  appertain 
ing  to  their  respective  offices  ;  after  which  he  pronounces  a 
suitable  address  to  the  new  Chapter,  and  closes  the  ceremony, 
with  the  following  benediction  : 

"  The  Lord  be  with  you  all ;  let  brotherly  love  continue  ; 
be  not  forgetful  to  entertain  strangers.  Now  the  God  of  Peace, 
our  Supreme  High  Priest,  make  you  perfect  to  do  his  will. 

"  Glory  be  to  God  on  high,  and  on  earth  peace,  and  good 
will  to  men  ;  as  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever 
shall  be,"  &c. 

SEC.  2.  Whenever  it  shall  be  inconvenient  for  the  General 
Grand  Officers,  or  the  Grand  or  Deputy  Grand  High  Priests, 
respectively,  to  attend  in  person,  to  constitute  a  new  Chapter, 


314  CONSTITUTION 

and  install  the  officers,  they  shall,  severally,  have  power  and 
authority  to  appoint  some  worthy  High  Priest,  or  Past  High 
Priest,  to  perform  the  necessary  ceremonies. 

SEC.  3.  The  officers  of  every  Chapter  and  Lodge  under  this 
jurisdiction,  before  they  enter  upon  the  exercise  of  their  res 
pective  offices  and  also  the  members  of  all  such  Chapters  and 
Lodges,  and  every  candidate  upon  his  admission  into  the  same, 
shall  take  the  following  obligation,  viz  :  "  I,  A.  B.,  do  promise 
and  swear,  that  I  will  support  and  maintain  the  Constitution 
of  the  General  Grand  Chapter  of  Royal  Arch  Masons,  for  the 
United  States  of  America." 

SEC.  4.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any 
regular  stated  meeting  of  the  General  Grand  Chapter,  with 
the  approbation  of  two-thirds  of  the  voters  present,  and  not 
otherwise. 

/  hereby  certify,  that  the  foregoing  is  a  true  copy  of  the  Con 
stitution  of   the   General    Grand  Chapter   of   Royal   Arch 

Masons  for  the  United  States  of  America. 
In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  caused  the  seal  of  the  General 

Grand  Chapter  to  be  hereunto  affixed. 

r^*^         Dated  at  the  city  of  Washington,  this  26th  day  of 
(  1  September,  1850,  and  the  year  of  the  Order,  2384. 

[  SEAL'  J  B.  B.  FRENCH, 

^-^v^  G.  G.  Secretary. 


THE  MASON'S  ADIEU. 


315 


THE    MASON'S    ADIEU. 

Air — BONNY  DOON. 
WORDS    BY    BURNS. 


A  -  dieu,  a  heart-warm,  fond       a  -  dieu,     Ye 


brothers      of     our      mystic    tie,    Ye  favored  and  en- 


lightened  few,  Companions       of    my        social  joy; 


^Wfif^ 


316 


THE  MASON'S  ADIEU. 


Though  I       to     for  -  eign  lands  must  hie,      Pur- 


su  -  ing  fortune's   slipp'ry  ba';  "With  melting  heart  & 


~*;~i — nn — S 


eye,  I  '11  mind  you  still  when 


Oft  have  I  met  your  social  band, 

To  spend  a  cheerful  festive  night, 
Oft,  honor'd  with  supreme  command, 

Presiding  o'er  the  sons  of  light : 
And  by  that  hieroglyphic  bright, 

Which  none  but  craftsmen  ever  saw, 
Strong  mem'ry  on  my  heart  shall  write, 

Those  happy  scenes  when  far  awa'. 


THE  MASON'S  ADIEU.  317 

^  - 

May  freedom,  harmony,  and  love, 

Cement  you  in  the  grand  design, 
Beneath  th'  Omniscient  Eye  above, 

The  glorious  Architect  divine  : 
That  you  may  keep  th'  unerring  line, 

Still  guided  by  the  plummet's  law, 
'Till  order  bright  completely  shine, 

Shall  be  my  prayer  when  far  awa'. 

And  you,  farewell,  whose  merits  claim 

Justly  that  highest  badge  to  wear, 
May  heaven  bless  your  noble  name, 

To  Masonry  and  friendship  dear  : 
My  last  request,  permit  me  then, 

When  yearly  you  're  assembled  a', 
One  round,  I  ask  it  with  a  tear, 

To  him,  your  friend,  that 's  far  awa'. 

And  you,  kind-hearted  sisters,  fair, 

I  sing  farewell  to  all  your  charms, 
Th'  impression  of  your  pleasing  air 

With  rapture  oft  my  bosom  warms. 
Alas !  the  social  winter's  night 

No  more  returns  while  breath  I  draw, 
'Till  sisters,  brothers,  all  unite, 

In  that  grand  Lodge  that  *s  far  awa'. 


TESTIMONIALS. 


From  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Indiana. 

The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  examination  of  '  THE 
CRAFTSMAN  AND  FREEMASON'S  GUIDE,  containing  a  delineation  of  the 
Rituals  of  Freemasonry,  from  the  Degree  of  Entered  Apprentice  to  that  of 
Select  Master  and  the  Order  of  Priesthood,'  beg  leave  to  report— that  they 
have  given  the  same  a  careful  examination,  ami  find  it,  in  their  opinion,  to 
be  one  of  the  best  Masonic  Manuals  yet  published.  It  possesses  not  only  the 
recommendation  of  being  as  brief  in  its  delineations  as  it  is  possible,  in 
order  to  convey  the  necessary  amount  of  masonic  instruction^but  it  is  entirely 
divested  of  those  crude  and  imperfect  historical  digests  of  the  Institution, 
with  which  most  editors  of  masonic  Text-books,  have  incumbered  the  lite 
rature  of  the  Craft.  This  may  be,  by  some,  considered  as  a  great  omission, 
but  in  our  opinion  it  is  one  demanded  by  the  increasing  light  of  masonic 
intelligence.  The  work  merely  professes  to  be  a  Freemason's  Guide,  and, 
in  our  opinion,  to  the  practical  Mason,  it  contains  all  the  elements  of  a  true 
directory.  We  not  only  take  pleasure,  therefore,  in  commending  the  present 
compilation,  by  Brother  Cornelius  Moore,  to  this  Gjand  Lodge,  and  the 
brethren  in  Indiana,  but  to  the  fraternity  at  large,  as,  in  the  estimation  of 
your  committee,  it  is  the  most  valuable  compilation  for  practical  purposes 
that  has  yet  been  presented  to  our  consideration. 

C.  SCMIDLAPP, 

D.  P.  HOLLOWAY, 
LEWIS  BURK." 

From  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Kentucky. 

Resolved,  That  this  Grand  Lodge  recommend  to  the  Fraternity  of  Free- 
masons,  the  "  CRAFTSMAN,"  by  Bro.  C.  Moore,  as  a  work  of  much  merit, 
and  a  very  excellent  pocket  companion,  and  of  great  utility  in  conferring 
degrees  by  the  Lodges. 

From  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio. 

The  Select  Committee  appointed  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  merits 
of  "  THE  CRAFTSMAN,"  a  work  compiled  and  arranged  by  Bro.  CORNELIUS 
MOORE,  and  published  by  Bro.  JACOB  ERNST,  at  Cincinnati,  having  examined 
the  same,  report  :— 

That  they  find  it  to  be  judiciously  arranged  and  in  proper  order — the  Ian- 
•ruage  correct  and  expressive,  the  symbols  rightly  disposed,  and  the  price  so 
reasonable  as  to  bring  it  within  the  reach  of  every  Mason.  The  committee 
oiFer  for  adoption  the  following  resolution  : 

Resolved    That  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Ohio  approve  of  the  Craftsman,  and 
recommend  it  to  be  used  by  the  Lodges  subordinate  to  this  Grand  Lodge. 
Respectfully  submitted, 

WILLIAM  FIELDING, 
M.  Z.  KREIDER, 
W.  B.  SMITH. 


WASHINGTON,  Hempstead  Co.,  Ark.J 
June  7th,  1850         ] 

I  have  to  some  extent  carefully  examined  "  THE  CRAFTSMAN  AND  FREE- 
MASON'S  GUIDE,"  published  by  Bro.  Jacob  Ernst,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and 
observe  with  much  pleasure  and  gratification  its  practical  application.  Its 
arrangement  is  excellent,  and  well  calculated  to  facilitate  greatly  the  ex 
planation  of  the  important  lessons  of  the  Order,  easily  directing  the  mind 
into  a  plain  channel  of  masonic  information.  With  these  impressions  I 
should  rejoice  to  see  its  extended  circulation,  until  it  should  be  in  the  pos 
session  of  every  member  of  the  craft  in  my  own  beloved  Arkansas. 

BENJ.  P.  JETT,  P.  G.  M.  of  Ark. 

ARKADELPHIA  LODGE,  No.  19. 

WHEREAS,  Brother  Samuel  Reed  has  introduced  to  our  notice  a  work 
entitled  "  THE  CRAFTSMAN  AND  FREEMASON'S  GUIDE," published  by  Brother 
Jacob  Ernst,  which  has  received  a  cursory  examination,  and  meets  the 
wishes  and  desires  of  the  fraternity  at  this  place; 

Therefore  be  it  Resolved,  That  we,  believing  it  to  be  the  very  best  working 
book  which  has  corne  tinder  our  observation,  most  cordially  recommend  it 
to  the  favorable  consideration  of  the  craft. 

Be  it  further  Resolved,  That  the  Compiler,  Brother  Moore,  and  Brother 
Jacob  Ernst,  the  publisher,  deserve  the  gratitude  of  the  fraternity  for  pre 
senting  a  work  possessed  of  such  advantages. 

H.  FLAN  AGIN,      ) 

W.  M.  BRICE,        I  Committee. 

JAS.  H.  OBAUGH,) 

LITTLE  ROCK,  Ark.,  June  17th  1850. 

On  a  careful  examination  of  the  "  CRAFTSMAN,"  I  give  to  it  a  most  hearty 
approval,  as  the  best  working  book  I  have  seen.  It  is  better  arranged  than 
Cross'  Chart ;  and  contains  in  addition  to  the  matter  of  that  Chart,  that  most 
valuable  of  all  masonic  writings,  the  ANCIENT  CONSTITUTIONS.  It  is  much 
superior  in  arrangement  to  the  TRESTLE  BOARD,  and  adheres  more  closely 
in  its  text  to  the  approved  standard  works.  E.  H.  ENGLISH. 


THE  TEMPLAR'S  TEXT  BOOK,— 

Or  Ritual  of  a  Council  of  Knights  of  the  Red  Cross,  and  of  an  Encamp 
ment  of  Knights  Templars,  and  Knights  of  Malta.  Abridged  from  standard 
authors,  by  CORNELIUS  MOORE,  of  Reed  Encampment,  No.  6,  Ohio. 

Morocco,  marble  edge,  50 

Morocco  tnck,  gilt  edge, <5 

Beautifully  engraved  Master  Masons'  and  Royal  Arch  Diplomas,  16  by 
20  inches  in  size,  on  Paper  and  Parchment,  for  framing  :  also  printed  on 
bank  note  paper,  and  neatly  put  up  in  map  form. 
MASTER  MASONS'  AND  ROYAL  ARCH  DIPLOMAS— 

On  Parchment, 1  00 

On  Paper,  Map  form,       ..--•••• 

COUNCIL  DIPLOMAS— 

On  Parchment, I  JJ 

On  Paper,  Map  Form, 

ENCAMPMENT  DIPLOMAS— 

On  Parchment, *  »? 

On  Paper,  or  Map  from, '•» 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below, 
or  on  the  date  to  which  renewed.  Renewals  only: 

Tel.  No.  642-3405 

Renewals  may  be  made  4  days  prior  to  date  due. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  Immediate  recall. 


REO'P  1.0 


•11  AM24   g 


8  3  1973 


APR  02  1992 


LD21A-40m-3,'72 
(Qll738lO)476-A-32 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


U.C.  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


l<">.^   . 


*,.  ...-vn    . 


